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Kindergarten teacher skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Peg Hughes Ph.D.,

Dr. Shirley Disseler

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical kindergarten teacher skills. We ranked the top skills for kindergarten teachers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 26.9% of kindergarten teacher resumes contained classroom management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a kindergarten teacher needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 kindergarten teacher skills for your resume and career

1. Classroom Management

Here's how kindergarten teachers use classroom management:

Observed and assisted individual teachers/student-teachers for the purpose of curriculum clarification, classroom management, proper utilization and teaching techniques.
Incorporated motivational and positive reinforcement classroom management techniques to foster positive attitudes toward learning, following the Responsive Classroom model.

2. Math

Here's how kindergarten teachers use math:

Created and implemented a comprehensive curriculum covering all subject areas, including a novel accelerated math program, for kindergarten students.
Developed daily literacy and math based learning centers to promote cooperative learning and independent practice.

3. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how kindergarten teachers use professional development:

Attended professional development/continuing education opportunities.
Participated in Professional Development cross-curriculum.

4. Language Arts

Language art refers to the ability to master a language.

Here's how kindergarten teachers use language arts:

Developed weekly language arts and bi-weekly math assessments to formally evaluate student mastery of key objectives.
Provided balanced language arts program incorporating drama, shared reading, and phonemic awareness activities.

6. Classroom Environment

Here's how kindergarten teachers use classroom environment:

Maintained a child-friendly classroom environment that celebrates student learning with authentic, standards-based content displayed on interior and exterior bulletin boards.
Maintain an engaging classroom environment that supports the school wide behavior expectation incorporates mutual respect and provided cooperative learning opportunities.

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7. Student Learning

Here's how kindergarten teachers use student learning:

Developed guided reading groups based on student learning levels and evaluated student reading levels bi-weekly to determine appropriate reading level growth.
Utilize data from formal and informal assessments to improve student learning and provide intervention to support individual achievement.

8. Pre-Kindergarten

Pre-kindergarten refers to a classroom designed for children who are too young to attend kindergarten. Kids are provided with education, nutrition, care, and everything else that contributes to a nurturing school environment.

Here's how kindergarten teachers use pre-kindergarten:

Prepared and implemented lesson plans for Pre-Kindergarten students daily that motivated students to learn the fundamentals necessary for success in Kindergarten.
Initiated and developed the first-ever Pre-Kindergarten data tracking system at Evans Elementary for surveys of instructional effectiveness.

9. Pre-K

Pre-K or pre-kindergarten is a classroom-based program for children below the age of five, and it is a voluntary preschool program. It helps the child develop social and emotional development before they are ready to start preschool.

Here's how kindergarten teachers use pre-k:

Completed weekly lesson plans approved by the Universal Pre-K coordinator
Attended Title 1 Pre-K meetings and workshops, as well as the early childhood conference held in Baton Rouge in January.

10. Parent-Teacher Conferences

Here's how kindergarten teachers use parent-teacher conferences:

Participate in Parent-Teacher Conferences and communicate daily with parents/guardians regarding child's behavior and progress.
Encouraged parental involvement through regular communications, biannual parent-teacher conferences, and classroom volunteerism.

11. Instructional Materials

Here's how kindergarten teachers use instructional materials:

Created lesson plans and instructional materials to provide individualized and small group instruction adapting the curriculum each student.
Developed classroom curriculum, activities, and instructional materials centralized around a weekly theme.

12. Student Performance

Here's how kindergarten teachers use student performance:

Assessed student performance/conducted teacher/parent conferences.
Communicate effectively with parents, educators, and community members concerning student performance, personal development, and leadership skills.

13. Learning Styles

Here's how kindergarten teachers use learning styles:

Provided students with opportunity to enhance literacy and comprehension through activities that incorporated differing learning styles to meet individual needs.
Created and implemented developmentally-appropriate curriculum that addressed all learning styles for full day classroom including non-speaking English students and Physical

14. State Standards

State Standards refer to the educational standards within each state. These standards are set by the Department of Education of each state and outline what students must learn within each grade and subject. The teachers' training and standardized testing is also based on what the standards outline.

Here's how kindergarten teachers use state standards:

Collaborated with teachers by using an interdisciplinary approach to lessons combining student interests with teacher plans and state standards.
Designed and facilitated hands-on activities encompassing and integrating teaching approaches in accordance with Washington State Standards.

15. Student Achievement

Here's how kindergarten teachers use student achievement:

Forged positive relationships with students and parents; communicated student achievements and needs on a continual basis with relevant stakeholders.
Maintained appropriate level of communication with the classroom teacher regarding student achievement while adhering to confidentiality guidelines at all times.

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What skills help Kindergarten Teachers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on kindergarten teacher resumes?

Dr. Peg Hughes Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Special Education. Coordinator of ECSE Programs, San Jose State University

-Transformative educators who are skilled in addressing racial and social inequities in their programs
-Educators who are fullly qualified and trained to work with students with disabilities who are also English-language learners
-Educators who are trained to work collaboratively with general educators on planning, teaching, and assessing those students with disabilities in gen-ed classrooms, i.e., co-teaching in inclusive settings
-Fluent in other languages besides English due to the diverse language backgrounds of students and families (at least in California)
-Any evidence of leadership work on the job, e.g., trainings for general educators on inclusion, diversity, families, and more
-Strong technology skills for communication with all stakeholders and for teaching students virtually
-Trained to teach using UDL approaches to address diversity of student learning styles

What soft skills should all kindergarten teachers possess?

Dr. Shirley Disseler

Associate Professor of Elementary & Middle Grades Education, Education Coordinator: STEM Education Program and LEGO Education Trainer, High Point University

-Leadership skills (showing leadership in organizations during college and participating in school events during student teaching)

-Teamwork (The ability to work with other teachers, accept constructive feedback)

-Cultural Competence (Being culturally aware and sensitive to the curriculum from a cultural perspective)

What hard/technical skills are most important for kindergarten teachers?

Jo Ann Donnenwirth

Dean of Nursing, Aultman College

Basic management skills such as organization, time management, communication skills, as well as technical skills on various platforms, and the willingness to learn new technology are important. In the current educational environment, these skills are the most important.

What kindergarten teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Suzanne Tiemann

Professor, Park University

I think that learning is on a continuum. By advancing their degrees and graduate credit, teachers can move up the district’s salary schedule while continuing to perfect their craft.

What type of skills will young kindergarten teachers need?

Steve Haberlin Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Wesleyan College

For elementary teachers, they would need strong organizational skills, collaboration skills (team planning), problem-solving, emotional intelligence, ability to develop rapport and connect with students, cultural responsiveness, relating to diversity, and incredibly now, strong technology skills.

What technical skills for a kindergarten teacher stand out to employers?

Eric Ross

Associate Professor, Languages, North Dakota State University

Employers are looking for strong communication skills of both the modern and old-fashioned variety. Expertise in web design and social media are highly marketable. At the same time, employers are looking for people who are skilled writers and public speakers.

Do you want to know more?

List of kindergarten teacher skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a kindergarten teacher resume and required skills for a kindergarten teacher to have include:

Classroom Management
Math
Professional Development
Language Arts
Social Studies
Classroom Environment
Student Learning
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-K
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Instructional Materials
Student Performance
Learning Styles
State Standards
Student Achievement

Social Development
Physical Health
ESL
Learning Environment
IEP
Report Cards
RTI
Social Growth
Bulletin Boards
Progress Monitoring
Phonics
Cooperative Learning
Creative Curriculum
Kindergarten Class
Guided Reading

First Aid Training
NAEYC
Level Planning
Logical Thinking
Core Standards
Core Subjects
Phonemic Awareness
Dibels
Student Portfolios
DRA
Academic Growth
Learning Centers
Child Left Behind
Imaginative Play
Team Teaching

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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