How to Become a Preschool Teacher

Preschool Teacher Requirements

Michelle M. Guilbeau
A preschool teacher has one of the most difficult jobs, not only do preschool teachers needs to teach academics but a large part of the preschool day involves teaching social skills and it is up to the preschool teacher to make sure this is done successfully.

If you are considering becoming a preschool teacher, it is important to consider if you are the type of person who could handle preschool age children. Not only does a preschool teacher need to be consistent, but he or she needs to be fair, understanding and kind. If you think that you have these qualities to offer and really love children, then becoming a preschool teacher may be exactly what you are looking for.

I did teach preschool for a couple years and found the job to be so rewarding but it was also exhausting and pay was not all that great. So if you do not have a lot of energy and are looking to make your first million, do not even consider becoming a preschool teacher. However, if you do feel you have the character traits mentioned above, then becoming a preschool teacher may become your most favorite job.

Preschool Teacher Requirements

When trying to figure out what the preschool teacher requirements are, it is best to look into your own state's certification requirements on how to become a preschool teacher, as each state is different with their teacher requirements.

Some states require a preschool teacher to hold an Associate of Arts degree with 18 college credit hours of child development related coursework, while other states just require you to have experience as an assistant teacher for a period of time before becoming a preschool teacher. The range of preschool teacher requirements is so broad and that is why finding out your state's individual requirements is so important.

Job Outlook for Preschool Teachers

Children under the age of 5 population is growing tremendously, most statistical information points towards continued growth in the career field of preschool teaching. This means there will be a continued demand for preschool teachers and the job outlook is much better than in some other areas of education. If you are considering preschool teaching, it may be sensible to start researching your specific state requirements for preschool teaching and figure what you need to do to become a preschool teacher.

Teaching preschool is a wonderful experience, just make sure you do your research so that you know that you have all the qualities that it takes to make an excellent preschool teacher and make sure you are knowledgeable about all the preschool teaching requirements.

Published by Michelle M. Guilbeau

Michelle is best known as the how to girl and she is a consistent Hot 100 Yahoo! writer. She contributes to Yahoo! Shine, Your Wisdom from Yahoo!, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports and the Yahoo! Contributer Net...  View profile

4 Comments

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  • Becca Greiner8/10/2010

    Such a demanding job, I imagine I'd come home and just fall down in bed the rest of each night. However, what a wonderful age of discovery for children to be in. It certainly takes a special person to be a preK teacher.

  • Sondra C8/10/2010

    Very interesting and since my daughter is going to school to be a teacher. I also added you to my followers. I would love it if you read some of my articles.

  • Lois Lunsford8/10/2010

    I love being a preschool teacher. Thanks for this super article Michelle.

  • Harmony Flora8/10/2010

    Thanks for the info! I think I would love this job, I had no idea you didn't need a full on bachelors let alone masters degree to become a preschool teacher! I want to be a teacher, but working full time and going to school means it'd be many years before I could get the degree that would take me to a job that would probably pay the same as I already make.

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