Learning is both a lifelong journey and challenge. We open up many opportunities when we gain new skills and knowledge, but it can be difficult to find the best ways to learn. Teachers play the important role of helping students on that path. In this job, you can work with everyone from toddlers, to adults, to the elderly. Teachers are especially important for kindergarteners, who are at an age where they are gaining fundamental skills and beginning a lifelong adventure. The career of a kindergarten teacher comes with great pressure and challenges, but is also very engaging and rewarding.

Kindergarten teachers are responsible for classrooms of children four to six years of age. These instructors are helping students prepare for elementary school and beyond. At this age, kids are learning basic skills and knowledge, as well as important social lessons related to sharing, working together, and how to behave. Teachers at this level have to handle the stress of working with a group of children who are at a very critical stage of learning and will not always be at their best behaviour. The job requires you to be focused and to have the energy to teach and engage with young minds. It also involves many fun classroom activities and gives you the pride in getting to shape those growing minds.

In Canada, kindergarten teachers make around $44,100 per year. This can range from about $29,500 to over $85,000, depending on experience and location. Median hourly wages range from $34.19 in Manitoba and $50.68 in the Northwest Territories. The median wage for all of Canada is $36.95. Being an experienced teacher can increase your salary by 38% over the average.

Finding a job as a kindergarten teacher should not be overly difficult between now and 2026. There will be about 98,900 positions for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, and 101,800 people looking for those jobs. A lot of job opportunities will happen as older teachers retire, and because there will be an increase in the number of students entering kindergarten. Most people who immigrate to Canada from other countries are unlikely to work as kindergarten teachers, as the career requires certification from the province you live in.

You have to complete a bachelor’s in education in order to become a teacher. Each province has an organization that gives people certificates that allow them to teach. You have to complete the required education in order to become a member of that organization. After some years of experience, kindergarten teachers can try to find higher-paying jobs in different locations. It is also possible to advance into administrative roles, such as principal.

We are all learning every single day. This allows us to grow as people and live better lives. Kindergarten teachers are extremely important for young children who are starting that journey. The things kids learn in kindergarten impact how they grow and develop, and play a big part in the adult they will become. Think back to your own memories of kindergarten, even if they are fuzzy. Remember how exciting and scary the world was, and how good it felt to learn more about it. This is why kindergarten teachers are so important, and why the role makes a wonderful career choice.

Sources:

Job Bank. “Kindergarten Teacher in Canada.” https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/2205/ca

PayScale. “Average Kindergarten Teacher (but not Special Education) Salary.” https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Kindergarten_Teacher_(but_not_Special_Education)/Salary