Because of the growing population of young children, preschool is one of the fastest growing aspects of education in the United States. As a result, the number of openings for preschool teachers is expected to rise in the coming years. This job may be right for you if you enjoy working with young children and have the patience, understanding, and energy to devote to a young child’s education.
In the United States, most states require candidates to have at least an associate’s degree, though some states require a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need to take some higher education classes in psychology, education, curriculum, child development, and classroom management in either case. These classes, as well as others, will aid you in understanding tried-and-true methods for teaching young children to interact appropriately in social situations and to begin to develop the fundamentals of learning.
Many preschool teachers begin their careers as assistant teachers, allowing them to observe and learn from more experienced teachers while also gaining experience working with a young group of students. A preschool teacher can work his or her way up to being a regular or lead teacher starting as an assistant teacher. In addition to experience and education, a teacher will frequently be required to obtain CPR and first-aid certification to ensure classroom safety in the event of an emergency. He or she will also be responsible for having their fingerprints taken and submitting them to the local school district, as well as undergoing a criminal background check.
If you’re thinking about becoming a preschool teacher, keep in mind the following factors that will affect your performance: To begin with, the pay scale may be a little low. Because the pay is frequently less than $20 per hour, some people only teach part-time. You must also be enthusiastic about working with young children. Working with such a young population requires a lot of energy and patience, and if you don’t have these qualities, you might get tired, stressed, or frustrated.
To become a preschool teacher, there are several colleges that offer coursework and degree programs. Online schools and community colleges are also viable options for obtaining the necessary college credits, and these institutions will often work around your schedule to provide you with flexible options for completing the coursework.