KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ABASIC DEGREE
Kindergarten teachers are charged with the challenging, and sometime daunting, task of shaping a young child's mind during the early, formative years. While play and hands-on teaching are still the primary techniques used, kindergarten teachers also begin to introduce academics in the classroom. Letter recognition, phonics, numbers and awareness of nature and science become the focus in kindergarten. Other duties of a kindergarten teacher include developing lesson plans and providing appropriate instruction, maintaining classroom discipline, evaluating a student's performance and communicating with parents and guardians.
In my opinion, kindergarten teacher should have at least a basic degree in this career. Kindergarten Teachers mentor and teach young children during the vitally important formative years, shaping the way the children see themselves and the world around them. Kindergarten is often a child's first experience in a structured environment, so a Kindergarten Teacher's role in providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the children in her class can aid in determining a child's future success. Many Kindergarten Teachers use play-based learning models to introduce children to concepts of mathematics, science, language, writing and reading, using games, stories and art to teach the children beginning academic skills.
Kindergarten teachers maintain the playful, interactive, hands-on learning that children experience in preschool, while also introducing them to the slightly more formal aspects of academic teaching, such as establishing and enforcing rules of classroom behavior. Through storytelling, counting, games and projects, they keep the children intellectually stimulated and introduce four- and five-year-olds to the concepts of phonics, reading, vocabulary, music, mathematics, science, and personal hygiene as well as assisting in the development of their social skills through fun activities in small groups.
Kindergarten teachers need to be mature, friendly, patient, organized, creative, energetic, and understanding. They need to be able to communicate clearly with children, as well as with parents and other teachers. Flexibility, spontaneity and a sense of humor also help, as does a genuine fondness for five-year-olds. People who work in this occupation should be able to anticipate and resolve problems, provide fair and gentle discipline, and be able to work with children as well as with aides, assistants, volunteers and other teachers.
Starting at the kindergarten level, teachers in public schools are required to be licensed by the state. State licensing regulations vary; however most states require a bachelor's degree, completion of an approved teacher training program and supervised practice teaching (commonly called student teaching). Training in early childhood education is preferred for most kindergarten teacher positions. Many schools offer teacher training programs specializing in early childhood education, where child development is taught alongside standard teaching principals and techniques.
Every state requires public school Kindergarten Teachers to complete a bachelor's degree program and a student teaching program many school districts also require a master's degree in literacy or early childhood education. Kindergarten Teachers who wish to teach in the public schools must pass a certification examination administered by the state. Some private schools do not require their Kindergarten Teachers to be state certified. Coursework leading to a degree in childhood education typically includes Elementary Mathematics, General Psychology, Literacy, Technology in the Classroom, Compositional Techniques for Young Children, Early Reading, and Educational Theory Application.
Although their job responsibilities vary widely, all K-12 teaching positions share certain common requirements. The early childhood years are especially formative years, and it is worthwhile from all perspectives for kindergarten teachers to be specially trained in child development. A bachelor's degree is required for all teaching positions in the public school system, for example. There are two minor exceptions to this requirement. Occasionally, a kindergarten teacher might need only an associate degree to qualify for employment; a bachelor's degree is a much more frequent requirement, however. The second exception is that not all private schools require a bachelor's degree, although they often prefer one.
All teaching positions have requirements beyond obtaining a degree. Often these include a term of practice teaching under the supervision of a certified and experienced teacher. States also require all public schoolteachers at every level to have a teaching license, to ensure the public that every teacher has certain standards of teaching excellence. Licenses are granted by the respective State Boards, and must be renewed annually. Various teacher-training programs are accredited by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. While graduation from an accredited program is not mandatory, it certainly makes it easier for teachers to fulfill licensure requirements.
Kindergarten teachers treat each student as an individual and try to help him or her with their emotional, physical, social or creative needs. They also interact with parents and faculty members. Kindergarten teachers must have excellent skills in problem solving, organization, record keeping and resolving conflicts. As they need to train and motivate children, excellent communication and research skills are essential.
Based on the reason above, that is why I think Kindergarten teacher need at least a degree in this career. So it is not an easy task for who want to be even though a kindergarten teacher.
