How do you become a preschool teacher?
605194
I depends where you live. In California, to be an assistant teacher, you need 6-12 e.c.e. units (2-4 early childhood education classes). Some schools hire you as a head teacher with 12 units. You can get this in one semester. The more units you have, the more pay you can get. Consider getting a Child Development or Education degree.\n\nMany programs hire teachers who specialize in a certain teaching philosophy (Montessori, High-Scope, Waldorf). Look into these philosophies and find one you like.
763044
It probably depends on what you want to teach (early childhood, adolescent/ young adult- business education, middle grades-another subject area).  You may want to start by spending some time subbing to see if you really do like it and which age group you want to work with.  You will eventually need to become a certified teacher but there are a few approaches you can take: \n1. Start by going to the Ohio department of education website and seeing what their requirements are.  Your options are usually through a college, through a district, or through the state department of ed.  If you apply directly to the state (it usually takes a long time) they will tell you you need to complete certain classes, take certain tests (such as Praxis), and gain field experience in a classroom as a (student) teacher.  \n2.  Look at local colleges with teacher education programs.  If you want to do business ed or another secondary subject area for which you already have most of the undergraduate classes (equivalent to a major in that subject area) you  might be able to do it through a post-bac program or a MAT.  A MAT gets  you a masters in education and certified at the same time and many of them are organized to run in the evenings so you can continue working until you get near to student teaching.  For early childhood education, it would probably take you longer but you would need to look at similar options. \n3.  Look at local schools.  If any need a business education teacher but have no certified person applying they could consider you.  You would get an emergency certificate and have to work toward certification (evening and summers) while you were already employed as as teacher.  \n4.  In areas with real teacher shortages, they sometimes have alternative programs to get people quickly into the schools.  Keep your eyes open (look at school district websites, the department of education website, etc.).  \n5.  Most private schools (and charter schools in some states) are not required to hire certified teachers.  The pay isn't as good but the environment sometimes helps make up  for that.  \n\nGood luck.
914274
Do you want to be a childcare "teacher" in a day care program or a "pre-k teacher" in a more structured educational program?  To work in a day care you need a high school diploma, first aid, and other continuing education credits (some will ask for an associate's degree) but not necessarily college.  \nTo teach "pre-k" in a more structured program you will need a college degree.  In many states it is now a teacher certification area requiring state licensure and qualifies you to teach in programs like head start, pre-k, kindergarten, etc. \nLook at colleges with "early childhood education" programs.  They are usually part of the education school/ department.
332239
I have two suggestions:\n\n1.  Contact your local school system and ask what qualifications they require.  In my county, we hire lateral entry teachers, in other words, folks who have a college degree and want to change occupations.\n\n2.  Contact the nearest university, and speak to an admissions counselor.  They'll have the most up-to-date information on the courses you'll need to take, and what your prospects are of getting hired.\n\nGood luck!
63162
A child can go to preschool at age 3 as long as he or she is potty trained.
328943
Get a teaching degree.
950725
as a teacher - and former pre-school teacher - i think the idea of each child child being "nurtured and guided in individually-paced learning and development" is a wonderful idea.\n\nin practical settings, however, it is not that easy to achieve.  you need a very well trained staff, an excellent curriculum director, and a group of kids who are independent and relatively good natured and well behaved.\n\nif you are looking for a school for your child - take more than one tour of the school, observe a few classes (without your child being there) and don't be afraid to let the school "interview" your child as you interview them...\n\ngood luck!  i think any good preschool program (montessori or otherwise) is a great start to learning and future school success!!!!!
943035
We desperately need more qualified Kindergarten and Early Childhood Educators. Sadly, we do not pay them what they deserve. Early Childhood education is all about using our senses and observing Nature. Psychology, human development, biology, environmental science, chemistry, math, sociology, anthropology and music are great starters, especially human dev and bio in high school.  The very best of good fortune to you.
709564
Each state is different to become certified as a teacher.  Most states require a four year college education; however, several states now require five years of college to be a teacher.  Although states are different in what would exclude one from being a teacher, I believe they are unanimous in that a felony on your record will prevent you from teaching.
156795
Hi, I was an early childhood major so hopefully I can help you out.  Kindergarten is becoming increasingly academic.  Working with him is a great idea!  However, preschoolers were not made to sit down and do worksheets.  Try to play some active learning games with him, that engage him and make him think.  Read, read, read!  Read to him everyday.  Try to ask him a lot of open-ended questions.  Preschoolers need to discover for themselves (with close supervision).  If he wants to know where mud comes from, make it.  You can also practice writing letters with him in the sand, by cutting letters out of magazines, using seeds and glue...anything you can think of.  Worksheets are good in some cases but there are a lot more things you can do that are more "developmentally appropriate".  I have included two links in the resource section that you should visit.  These are excellent and free publications from the United States Department of Education based upon years and years of research that would be perfect for you to read.\n\nHope that helped!
966644
What about looking into becoming a teacher or assistant teacher at a pre-school.  A lot of churches have pre-schools and could probably use extra help.  I think you would find a pre-school more satisfying than a day care because you would be educating the children, not just supervising them.
98024
Certified teachers are now required by every state, thanks to No Child Left Behind.  You can check out your state's Deptarment of Education website for the specifics on what is required.  Most are:\na 4 year bachelor's degree in education\na fingerprint clearance check\nbe able to pass a teaching test
772810
It varies by state, you were smart to say where you live. Check out\nhttp://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/teach.html\n\nit is the California site for teacher credentials. It is the best place to start!
1187753
To be a special education teacher in the United States, you must have the following:\n\n1. A college or university degree in a Special Education speciality, accredited by an agency recognized by United States licensing guidelines.\n\n2. Each state has its own set of tests, and you must pass them. They usually address basic academic skills, general social/cultural/arts knowledge, professional knowledge, and content- or speciality-specific knowledge.  Remember, these tests are based on American values and professional philosophies...you need to do some serious research before taking them.\n\n3. You must pass a background check.\n\n4. Your license will be state-specific, and you have to take additional coursework and/or pass additional tests when moving between states (in most cases).\n\nIf you are interested only in working with visually disabled students, you will need to contact one of the Schools for the Visually Impaired.\n\nhttp://www.learnanytime.com/blind/\n\nImmigration through employment:\nhttp://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm\n\nGood luck!
543732
I LOVE my job. It did take a couple of years to get the hang of classroom management. \n\nWhen I first started teacher preschool (12 years ago), I made $7 per hour. A lot of schools pay you depending on your education or how many child development units you have. If you have 6-12 units, $10 is not too bad. \n\nI now have my Masters in Education (60+ units in child development) and make $20 and hour. This is considered good pay in my area (California). Most schools here pay about $12 per hour. The teacher turnover rate is pretty high partially because of this. If you are educated, go for as much as you can get. Enjoy!
1004509
Rules are different everywhere so you really need to ask those questions of someone in your area.  Possibly visit a preschool and ask the teachers there.  They should be able to point you in the right direction.
382051
http://www.homeschoolingadventures.com/preschool.html\nand it is free