How to Become a Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher

Derrick Mbabazi

17 Jun 2025 — 8 min read

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers play a big role in helping young kids grow. They teach basic subjects like reading, writing, math, and science, and also help students learn how to get along with others. Their main goal is to get kids ready for middle school.

Main Duties

Here are some of the important things these teachers do:

Plan lessons for subjects like reading, math, and science
Teach students as a full class or in small groups
Watch how students learn and figure out what each one needs help with
Grade homework and classwork
Talk with parents or guardians about how their child is doing
Help students one-on-one when they’re struggling
Get students ready for state tests
Set classroom rules and teach kids how to behave
Supervise students during breaks, lunch, or recess

Teaching Style

Many teachers use hands-on learning to help students understand ideas. For example, they might show students how to do a science experiment, then let the kids try it themselves. Group work is also common, which teaches teamwork and problem-solving.

Grade Levels and Subjects

Elementary school usually covers 1st to 5th or 6th grade (sometimes up to 8th in certain schools).
Teachers often teach several subjects to the same group of students each day.
They may walk students to art, music, or gym class, which are taught by other teachers.

Special Roles

Some teachers focus on just one or two subjects and work as part of a team:

One teacher might handle English and social studies
Another might teach math and science

There are also special subject teachers for:

Art
Music
Physical education (PE)

Some teachers focus on students who are learning English as a second language (ESL/ESOL). Others help students with learning disabilities or behavior challenges, working alongside special education teachers to make sure all kids get the help they need.

Technology in the Classroom

Today, many teachers use technology like computers and smartboards. They might also:

Use websites or apps to give lessons
Communicate with parents online
Share assignments and grades through school websites

Work Environment of Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers usually work in public or private schools. Their job can be fun and meaningful, but also tiring and stressful at times.

Where They Work

In 2023, here’s where most of these teachers worked:

Elementary School Teachers (not special education):

Public schools: 85%
Private schools: 13%

Kindergarten Teachers (not special education):

Public schools: 81%
Private schools: 15%
Daycare centers: 1%

Job Setting

Teachers spend most of their time in classrooms, but also help out in hallways, cafeterias, or on the playground.
They might have meetings with parents, students, or other teachers before or after school.
Some teachers get tenure, which means job protection after a few years of good teaching.

Challenges and Rewards

The good:

Watching students learn and grow is very rewarding.
Teachers enjoy making a difference in kids’ lives.

The tough stuff:

Some schools have big classes or outdated supplies.
Teaching can be stressful, especially when trying to meet all students' needs.
To help, many schools now offer mentoring and teacher training programs.

Work Schedules

Teachers work school-day hours, but also do things after school, like meetings, grading, or lesson planning.
They often use evenings and weekends to catch up on work.
Most follow a 10-month school year, with:
- A 2-month summer break
- A short winter break

Some teachers work during summer school or in schools that use year-round schedules, which means:

9 weeks of teaching
Then a 3-week break
Then the cycle repeats

How to Become a Kindergarten or Elementary School Teacher

If you enjoy working with kids and helping them learn, becoming a kindergarten or elementary school teacher could be the right path for you. Here’s a simple guide to how you can get started.

Education Requirements

To teach in a public school, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. This degree teaches you how to:

Explain lessons in a way young kids understand
Manage a classroom
Work with students from different backgrounds

Most programs also include student teaching, where you practice in a real classroom with help from an experienced teacher.

Private schools often have the same education requirements, though they may be more flexible.

If you already have a degree in another subject, you can still become a teacher. You’ll just need to complete a teacher education program to earn your certification.

Some states also ask teachers to earn a master’s degree after they start teaching.

💡 Visit Teach.org to find out what your state requires.

License or Certification

If you want to teach in a public school, you must get a state-issued license or certification for the grade you want to teach. Here’s what’s usually needed:

A bachelor’s degree (with a good GPA)
Completion of student teaching
A background check
Passing scores on teaching exams

Private schools may not require a license, but it depends on the school.

Many states also require ongoing training or classes to keep your teaching license active.

Alternative Paths

If you already have a bachelor’s degree but didn’t study education, there are alternative certification programs that can help you become a teacher. Some programs let you:

Start teaching right away, with help from a mentor teacher
Take education courses while working
Earn full certification after completing the program

Other programs may require classes before you start teaching.

Important Skills and Qualities

To do well in this career, teachers need more than just a degree. You’ll also need to be:

Good at communication – to talk with students, parents, and school staff
Patient – kids learn at different speeds and have different needs
Energetic and strong – teaching can be physically and emotionally demanding
Creative and flexible – every class is different, and lessons need to keep kids interested

Career Growth

As you gain experience, you can move into other roles, such as:

Mentor teacher – helping new teachers learn the ropes
Lead teacher – taking charge of a grade level or team

With more education, you could become a:

School counselor
Librarian
Instructional coordinator
Assistant principal or principal

These jobs often need a master’s degree in education leadership or a related field.

Becoming a kindergarten or elementary teacher takes effort, but it’s a rewarding job. You’ll help shape young minds, build their confidence, and give them the tools they need to succeed in school and life.

Pay for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

💡

The data in this article is based on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

If you're thinking about becoming a kindergarten or elementary school teacher, it's important to know what kind of salary you can expect. As of May 2024, the pay for these teachers was generally higher than the average wage for all U.S. jobs.

The median yearly pay for elementary school teachers, not including special education, was $62,340. For kindergarten teachers, the median pay was $61,430. When combining both kindergarten and elementary school teachers, the average came to about $62,310 a year. In comparison, the median wage for all jobs in the U.S. was $49,500. So, teachers in these roles tend to earn more than many other workers.

Pay can vary depending on experience, education, and where you work. For example, the lowest-paid 10% of elementary school teachers earned less than $46,440, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $102,010. Kindergarten teachers had a similar range, with the bottom 10% earning under $45,750 and the top 10% earning over $99,360.

Where a teacher works can also affect pay. Elementary school teachers who worked in local public schools earned about $63,160 per year, while those in private schools made around $51,260. Kindergarten teachers in public schools earned about $62,720, while those in private schools made about $49,870. Teachers who worked in child daycare centers had lower pay, with a median wage of $39,550.

Most kindergarten and elementary teachers follow a 10-month school year, with a 2-month summer break and a short winter break. Some teachers may work during the summer, especially if their district offers summer school or has a year-round schedule. In year-round setups, teachers often work 9 weeks straight, followed by a 3-week break before the next session begins.

Job Outlook for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Between 2023 and 2033, the overall number of jobs for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is expected to decline by 1%. This means there may be fewer positions available compared to today. In fact, this is slower than the average growth rate for all occupations, which is about 4%.

Even though total employment is expected to go down, there will still be a steady need for teachers. Each year, there are projected to be around 106,500 job openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Most of these openings will come from teachers who retire or leave the profession for other careers.

The number of children enrolling in public schools is expected to drop slightly during this time. However, the push for smaller class sizes means schools may still need many teachers to keep class sizes manageable.

Job opportunities will also depend on state and local school budgets. When there are budget cuts, some schools may reduce their teaching staff. On the other hand, when funding is stable or growing, schools are more likely to hire or keep more teachers.

In Summary:

Job growth: –1% from 2023 to 2033
Annual job openings: About 106,500 (mostly from retirements or career changes)
Biggest hiring factors: Student enrollment trends, class size policies, and government funding

So, while the total number of jobs may shrink slightly, there will still be strong demand to replace teachers who leave—meaning opportunities will still exist for new educators.

Here's a clear and simple version of the Similar Occupations section in paragraph form, written for easy reading:

Similar Occupations

If you're interested in becoming a kindergarten or elementary school teacher, you might also want to explore other jobs that involve working with students or supporting education. Below are some related careers, along with what they do, how much education you need to get started, and how much they typically pay:

Preschool Teachers care for and teach children younger than 5 years old, before they enter kindergarten. You usually need an associate’s degree. The median yearly pay in 2024 was $37,120.
Childcare Workers watch over young kids and help with their early development. A high school diploma is usually enough to start. In 2024, they earned about $32,050 per year.
Teacher Assistants support classroom teachers by helping students one-on-one or in small groups. You’ll typically need some college coursework. The median pay was $35,240.
Middle School Teachers teach students in grades 6–8. Like elementary school teachers, they usually need a bachelor’s degree. In 2024, their median wage was $62,970.
High School Teachers work with older students, helping them prepare for college or jobs. A bachelor’s degree is needed, and the median salary was $64,580.
Special Education Teachers work with students who have disabilities. They need a bachelor’s degree and earned a median of $64,270.
Career and Technical Education Teachers teach subjects like healthcare, auto repair, or culinary arts. A bachelor’s degree is required, and their pay was about $62,910.
Instructional Coordinators design and review school curriculums and help improve teaching methods. You usually need a master’s degree. They earned $74,720 in 2024.
School and Career Counselors guide students in academic and personal growth, or help people plan their careers. A master’s degree is needed, and they earned $65,140.
Librarians and Library Media Specialists help people find and use information. Most need a master’s degree. In 2024, they earned $64,320.
Social Workers assist people with challenges in everyday life. Pay was about $61,330, and education needs vary depending on the job type.
Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals manage entire schools, including staff and students. This role needs a master’s degree and pays well—around $104,070 per year.
Postsecondary Teachers teach college-level courses in different subjects. Pay and education levels vary, but the median pay was $83,980 in 2024.

Each of these jobs shares something with the role of a kindergarten or elementary school teacher—whether it's working with kids, teaching, or supporting learning in schools.

Summary and Final Thoughts

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers play a big role in shaping young minds. They teach students the basics—like reading, math, and science—while also helping them build social skills and confidence. These teachers often work long hours, not just during school days, but also at night and on weekends, preparing lessons and grading assignments.

To become a teacher in most public schools, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued license. Some states might ask for a master’s degree later on. Pay is decent, with most earning around $61,000–$62,000 per year, and experienced teachers can earn even more. Though job growth is slightly declining, there are still thousands of openings each year, mostly from teachers retiring or changing careers.

Teaching can be both rewarding and challenging. You’ll need patience, energy, and creativity. But if you enjoy working with kids and want to make a lasting impact, becoming a kindergarten or elementary school teacher can be a fulfilling career choice.