KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS HAVE THE AWESOME JOB of instructing young children, between the ages of five and six, during their first year of school. This is the most important year in a student's life as they are building the foundation needed for future education. It is also the most challenging level to teach. Welcome to the world of finger paints, storybooks, play-acting, and circle time. Welcome to the Big K!Kindergarten teachers prepare students for higher grades by providing instruction in basic subjects. The children may start with little or no knowledge at all of letters and numbers. By the time they move up to first grade, they will be able to read, write, and perform simple calculations among other things. This intellectual growth occurs through play and hands-on learning. A typical classroom may look like an indoor playground, but each activity is carefully structured to convey a lesson.Academics aside, there is much more to teaching kindergarten than singing songs and reciting the ABCs. Kindergarten teachers are also responsible for teaching social skills and personal hygiene. At this age, children are unaware of the many rules surrounding social interaction within a group dynamic. They must learn how to take turns, raise their hands before speaking, line up, and put things away. They may also need help with tying shoes, buttoning coats, or blowing their nose. It is safe to say that kindergarten teachers are the most important educators a child will ever have. It takes special knowledge and skills to impart lifelong learning skills to young children. Kindergarten teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree. The most common major is early childhood education, though there are other possibilities. A teacher preparation program, which is essentially an internship with specialized training, is also required. This is usually completed during undergraduate study. After graduation, public school teachers must pass an exam and obtain a state-issued certification or license before working in a classroom. Many private schools do not require a license.New kindergarten teachers may find it challenging to land their first job. Job openings normally occur once a year and are usually filled in spring for the following fall session. It takes careful planning and patience, but kindergarten teachers with the right combination of training, references, and enthusiasm will find that they are needed in both public and private schools.The pay is lower compared to other professions with comparable educational requirements. Most salaries range from $50,000 to $70,000 a year. It looks a little better when considering teachers are off duty for two months in the summer, three weeks in the winter, and one or two weeks in the spring. The benefits are also good, with exceptional health coverage and retirement plans. Clearly, kindergarten teachers do not enter this career for the money. They do it because they love children and are passionate about education and helping their young charges get off to the best possible start in their academic lives.