Becoming a pre-kindergarten teaching can be emotionally rewarding.
Pre-kindergarten teachers instruct children who are too young to attend formal elementary school. A preschool instructor works with toddlers as young as 2 or older children who may not be quite ready for kindergarten. Most pre-kindergarten teachers are employed in public or private schools as well as day-care centers. A teacher can work with kids individually or teach an entire class. Pre-kindergarten teachers traditionally have flexible schedules which allow them to choose between part-time and full-time hours. If you want to become a pre-K teacher you will need to follow a specific educational pathway.
Instructions
1. Attend a college with a major in early childhood development, early childhood education or elementary education. A background in the field of early childhood education is a crucial asset on your resume when applying for a job in the field.
2. Complete your student-teaching requirements, in which you will work as a student teacher, either full-time or part-time, under the supervision of a state certified teacher. Student teachers also take formal college classes several times a week while teaching.
3. Earn a state teaching license. Most public schools will not hire you without a license. Completion of this additional step increases your chances of getting hired in the field. License requirements vary by state. Some states require completion of specific coursework and passing specified standardized tests. For example, if you want to become a pre-kindergarten teacher in Florida you must earn a bachelor's degree in education, take additional classes and then pass two state certification tests--one that assesses basic skills and one that assesses knowledge in the field of elementary education.
4. Obtain alternate certification. While many schools and day cares prefer candidates who have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education you can still apply for a position without one. Twenty-six states require potential pre-kindergarten teachers to hold a bachelor's degree. The rest do not. You may apply for a position if you do not have a bachelor's degree in those states. Head Start, a highly popular program designed to help disadvantaged young children prepare for formal schooling, requires potential teachers to have at least a child development associate (CDA) credential. Workers can earn the credit if they have a high school diploma or GED, complete certain coursework (including classes related to childhood development), and provide evidence of extensive work with young children over a period of time.
5. Obtain a list of schools with pre-K classes and mail out resumes to potential employers. A public preschool may offer a higher salary than a private school, but private schools often offer more flexibility and greater partnership with parents.
6. Investigate hiring halls and job fairs. A hiring hall or job fair is an open call for teachers usually held by a one or a number of school districts. Call all districts where you'd like to work and ask when the next hiring hall is scheduled. Bring copies of your resume and academic certification.
7. Study a foreign language, which can help enhance your prospects for employment. Knowledge of an additional language will help you communicate with non-English speaking parents. Foreign language fluency may also help you gain employment in a preschool that emphasizes second-language study.
Tags: bachelor degree, early childhood, childhood education, early childhood education, apply position, childhood development
