Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

My principal is trying to convince me to teach it next year. I've taught 3rd for 5 years. We are getting K for first time in building because of restructuring and rezoning of schools in our area. Not sure what resources we will have except I know we are getting appropriate furniture and I would keep my 1st floor room with own bathroom and smartboard. But I am really not thrilled about teaching the little ones. Sounds like exhausting work that requires a lot of patience and I feel like I'd rather save some energy/patience for my will-be toddler at home. So please give me some insight so I can further decide whether to fight this or welcome it.

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

We need to talk...call or email..to me, the advantages outweigh the other factors...I love K and really missed it this year! Let me know a good time to chat...this could be great!

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

This year I started teaching kindergarten after teaching 6th grade for 7 years. It was a huge adjustment and in the very beginning I was miserable. I have three kiddos at home, my youngest who also started kindergarten and I would come home exhausted! That being said around December I noticed that they were beginning to get the transitions down and things were starting to fall into place, I'm actually starting to enjoy going to work and seeing my little guys.

Now that the time is approaching for me to put in my choices for next year, I'm really considering staying in Kindergarten. It is definitly difficult in the beginning, but to see the little minds open up and grow is amazing.

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

I was a Kindergarten leave replacement for a year. It is my absolute favorite grade to teach, but I also gravitate toward early childhood since I've been doing it for 5+ years.

It isn't easy. The children come in at different levels of ability in the beginning depending on their educational experiences before Kindergarten. But I loved it because I saw so much growth in the children in such a short period of time. They were constantly enthusiastic. I remember I did a "Does it Sink? Does it Float?" activity with them and they were SO excited to see what the outcome was. That resonated with me.

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

Cons:
--Come in on all different levels (some reading, some not knowing any letters of the alphabet)
--Do not grasp routines in the beginning so they must be heavily guided (i.e. making lunch choice, putting snack/folder/notes/HW in it's place, etc.). It's hard for them to work independently, but it is expected while you are working in small groups.
--Very needy, cannot do simple things independently (I must tie shoes about 30 times a day, put on coats, zip them up, etc.)
--For some of them, it's their first time in a school or structured setting which means they have NO clue how to behave in school. They cannot even walk in a straight line down the hallway
--It is a crucial age for parental support (as all grades are really) and unfortunately, not every home has time or simply just doesn't see the need to read daily, practice sight words, letter/sound relationships, etc.
--Physically EXHAUSTING...I am shot by the time I get home...and by Friday, I am ready to collapse.

Pros:
--THEY'RE ADORABLE!
--Make you laugh at the funny/silly things they say
--The majority have a desire to learn and are excited by the simplest things
--GROWTH--the amount of growth they make from September to June is seriously amazing. Even my lowest students who barely speak English when they come in leave reading at least simple A level texts when in the beginning of the year, they couldn't even recognize or write their name or read the word a.

I've been teaching K for 4 years now and as exhausting as it is, I do LOVE it. I just wish I could change the administration & the programs that we are forced to utilize that put INSANE demands on these 5 year olds...but that's a district issue, not a K issue

Message edited 4/2/2011 7:14:46 PM.

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

It's not for everyone. I lasted as a Kindergarten teacher for one year. After that, I moved up to 5th and was much happier. It depends on your personality and how much independence you like for your class to have. For me, I like to be able to have deep, engaging conversations w/ my kids...and I like to be able to give them a task, send them on their way and to see what they can do with it. That was what frustrated me about teaching Kindergarten...I felt like a shoe-tier, nose-wiper and coat-zipper.

On the plus side, those kids will LOVE you like no one else! I had their little pictures plastered all over my classroom

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

Posted by MrsRivera

It's not for everyone. I lasted as a Kindergarten teacher for one year. After that, I moved up to 5th and was much happier. It depends on your personality and how much independence you like for your class to have. For me, I like to be able to have deep, engaging conversations w/ my kids...and I like to be able to give them a task, send them on their way and to see what they can do with it. That was what frustrated me about teaching Kindergarten...I felt like a shoe-tier, nose-wiper and coat-zipper.

On the plus side, those kids will LOVE you like no one else! I had their little pictures plastered all over my classroom

Re: Kindergarten teachers - give me the pros and cons to teaching K

I taught K for a year, and honestly, haaated it! And it's not like I teach upper grades - I have taught 1st grade for the last 6 years (minus the 1 year in K). It just isn't compatible with my style of teaching. I always say, I totally get why others might love it, but for me, it was totally boring!!