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Lead teacher vs kindergarten teacher

The differences between lead teachers and kindergarten teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kindergarten teacher has an average salary of $48,029, which is higher than the $33,652 average annual salary of a lead teacher.

The top three skills for a lead teacher include CPR, customer service and child care. The most important skills for a kindergarten teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.

Lead teacher vs kindergarten teacher overview

Lead TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Yearly salary$33,652$48,029
Hourly rate$16.18$23.09
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs56,13165,972
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4340
Years of experience2-

What does a lead teacher do?

The Lead Teacher works with parents to resolve student issues and train new teachers on effective teaching techniques. A Lead Teacher is a licensed teacher with extensive teaching experience and preferably has a master's in education or related studies. They are an integral part of a school's faculty and the principal's arm in drafting policies for implementation.

What does a kindergarten teacher do?

Kindergarten teachers teach young children social and emotional skills, reading skills, music, and personal hygiene. They prepare these children for elementary school and certain life aspects. It is also their responsibility to teach children good classroom behavior, plan the curriculum daily and the whole school year, and conduct parent-teach meetings. Kindergarten teachers should encourage children to be observant of activities and give them the chance to ask questions and find the answers. They should also work with parents in putting an action plan to help children with emotional or developmental problems.

Lead teacher vs kindergarten teacher salary

Lead teachers and kindergarten teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Average salary$33,652$48,029
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $50,000Between $37,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companySuccess Preparatory AcademyBrooklyn Waldorf School
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between lead teacher and kindergarten teacher education

There are a few differences between a lead teacher and a kindergarten teacher in terms of educational background:

Lead TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lead teacher vs kindergarten teacher demographics

Here are the differences between lead teachers' and kindergarten teachers' demographics:

Lead TeacherKindergarten Teacher
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.5% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage12%5%

Differences between lead teacher and kindergarten teacher duties and responsibilities

Lead teacher example responsibilities.

  • Plan and implement theme and project-base lessons that incorporate math, literacy, science, physical development, and social/emotional skills.
  • Cultivate and foster safe and effective learning environment conducive for Pre-K students.
  • Model positive behavior management techniques through daily contact with children and early childhood staff in the classroom.
  • Develop lesson plans on a bi-weekly basis that comply with early childhood standards and relate to the weekly theme.
  • Require CPR certification and ongoing continuing education.
  • Develop programs that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Kindergarten teacher example responsibilities.

  • Utilize PLC time to meet the needs of struggling and achieving students
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Present history and math PowerPoint lessons.
  • Serve on data teams to coordinate with ELA, math and RTI specialists to ensure student growth and success.
  • Develop daily literacy and math base learning centers to promote cooperative learning and independent practice.
  • Plan and teach an 1st and 2nd grade ELA unit.
  • Show more

Lead teacher vs kindergarten teacher skills

Common lead teacher skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Child Care, 17%
  • Child Development, 15%
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Pre-K, 3%
Common kindergarten teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 27%
  • Math, 14%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Language Arts, 5%
  • Social Studies, 4%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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