Kindergarten Teacher Certification in Louisiana
Leading a classroom of kindergarten students in Louisiana requires several steps. Discover how to become a certified kindergarten teacher in this state.
Information for Kindergarten Teacher Certification in Louisiana
Kindergarten teachers need to be able to teach children between the general ages of five and six. You'll need a bachelor's degree and a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exams before you will be issued an initial certification.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Bachelor's degree; teacher preparation program</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exams Required</td><td>Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics;<br/> Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood;<br/> Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects</td></tr>
<tr><td>License Validity</td><td>Five years</td></tr>
<tr><td>License Extension</td><td>Three years with active teaching career and certification</td></tr>
<tr><td>Average Salary* (2018)</td><td>$50,540 for kindergarten teachers in Louisiana</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Growth* (2016-2026)</td><td>8% for kindergarten teachers nationwide</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3><p>Kindergarten teachers are some of the first instructors that young students will encounter. You will make lesson plans on some basic subjects like science and math, and instruct groups of students while teaching them how to socialize and interact with each other. As students progress through kindergarten, you will keep their parents up to date and discuss any challenges you're having. You'll need to develop classroom rules to introduce ideas of discipline to your students and lay the groundwork for future rules to follow.
</p><h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3><p>Anyone looking to become a certified kindergarten teacher in Louisiana must obtain a bachelor's degree. You'll major in a subject like Early Childhood Education or Curriculum and Instruction: PK-3. The program includes a student teaching experience, which is mandatory if you plan to become a kindergarten teacher. To obtain admissions into the teacher preparation program, you'll need to earn minimum qualifying grades in your introductory courses, and maintain a GPA throughout all of your classes. Some of the courses you'll take as part of the bachelor's degree can include topics like children's literature, child psychology, and English grammar and usage.
</p><h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3><p>Louisiana makes use of the standard Praxis exams. Kindergarten teachers will have to take a total of five tests, starting with the Core Academic Skills for Educators. There are three core tests: one for reading, another for writing, and the final for mathematics. Qualifying scores of 156, 162, and 150, respectively, are required to pass and obtain certification. For kindergarten, you'll also need to pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood test, as well as the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects. The latter exam contains four subtests in reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. On-screen calculators are provided for each math test. Passing scores for the subject tests range from 155 to 159.
</p><h3 id="section---LicenseRequirements">License Requirements</h3><p>Upon obtaining your teaching license, your credentials will remain valid as long as you continue actively teaching. All you need to do is get your license renewed at the end of the five-year period, and you will be granted a three-year extension. If you go without teaching for one semester or 90 consecutive days, your license will be considered lapsed and you'll need to take six semester hours at a college or university to restore your ability to teach.</p>