Today’s preschool teacher is much different from yesterdays. Children, even toddlers, are so advanced that it takes more than arts and crafts to keep their attention and stimulate their minds. This may sound crazy, but did you know that at six months, babies become aware of pictures and sounds and by age two and a half, they actually understand the relationship between a computer keyboard and what appears on the screen? In some preschools, computers are introduced at the tender age of three. This means, preschool teachers must be skilled in their profession and computer savvy as well.
Preschool teachers are responsible for caring for and instructing children up to age five. Preschool teachers design activities that utilize colors, shapes, and numbers. These activities are specifically designed to encourage imagination and develop thinking skills. Activities may include everything from storytelling, drama and music to coloring and games.
Preschool teachers also step outside of “academics” to teach preschoolers the importance of personal hygiene, healthy eating habits, and social skills. Preschool teachers spend their days working with children and their evenings and weekends meeting with working parents. They also spend a significant amount of time outside of the classroom chaperoning field trips, attending staff meetings, and organizing and maintaining student records.
In the coming years, these busy individuals will notice a whopping 26% increase in job growth. This is the result of a rapidly growing population and government funding. Government funding allows for the development of new preschool programs and the expansion of existing preschool programs. Preschool teachers also retire at a steady rate each year. This will also contribute to a rapid increase in job growth.
Although preschool teachers are on the lower side of the pay scale in the world of education, they receive excellent benefits and they enjoy a certain level of stability that many other industries do not. Currently, preschool teachers earn an average salary of $25,900 per year. On the high end, preschool teachers earn an average of $30,000-$40,000 per year. Beginning preschool teachers typically start at $15,000 per year.
Although a degree is not required to become a preschool teacher, most employer’s prefer a bachelor’s degree or higher. More than 30% of preschool teachers have a master’s degree and nearly 40% have a bachelor’s degree. The other 30% may have an associate degree or vocational training, but these individual’s typically earn 30%-40% less than individuals with a bachelor’s or higher.
Before enrolling in a teacher education program, it is important to make sure the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accredits the program or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.
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