Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Teacher
What kindergarten teachers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Set up literacy centers and review the day’s plan. From there, the day usually includes teach early reading, writing and math, plan hands-on lessons, and build classroom routines and social skills. Teachers work school-year schedules plus planning and grading time; summers are usually off.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a kindergarten teacher working full time.
- Set up literacy centers and review the day’s plan.
- Greet students and lead morning meeting.
- Teach phonics with songs and letter cards.
- Lead math centers with counting games.
- Eat lunch and plan with the grade-level team.
- Run a science exploration on plants.
- Assess letter recognition and update records.
Where kindergarten teachers work
Kindergarten teachers work in elementary school classrooms that are active and noisy, with lots of movement.
Hours and schedule
Teachers work school-year schedules plus planning and grading time; summers are usually off.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Teach early reading, writing and math
- Plan hands-on lessons
- Build classroom routines and social skills
- Assess student progress
- Differentiate instruction for different learners
- Communicate with families
- Collaborate with specialists and grade-level teams
Tools you’ll use every day
- Phonics programs
- Manipulatives
- Classroom technology
- Assessment tools
- Learning center materials
- Family communication apps
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Foundational impact on children
- Joyful, creative classrooms
- Summers off
- Stable public jobs and pensions
What’s hard
- Exhausting energy levels
- Behavior and readiness gaps
- Paperwork and testing
- Pay is modest in some districts
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love young children
- I’m patient and energetic
- I want to teach reading foundations
- I’m organized
- I want summers off
- I can handle a busy classroom
Not sure? Take the free Kindergarten Teacher fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Supervise students at all times
- Follow allergy and medical plans
- Practice emergency drills
- Teach safe movement in the classroom