Also called: K teacher
Teaches 5- and 6-year-olds the basics of reading, counting, and being a student.
Kindergarten teachers sing songs, teach letter sounds, run play-based learning centers, tie shoes, and celebrate the first time a kid reads a book alone. Patience and energy are must-haves.
BLS kindergarten teachers, May 2025.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's degree, a teacher-prep program, student teaching, and a state teaching license; alternative certification routes let career-changers teach while finishing licensure.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education.
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years). BLS projects little or no change.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can track reading-sound progress and draft reports; teaching 5-year-olds letters, sharing and shoe-tying is hands-on human work.
Classes: Child development CTE class, Music, Psychology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-2012.
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