How to Become a Certified Early Education Teacher

Working with children aged three to five, preschool teachers have an opportunity to impact the learning foundation of children at its most critical and formative time. Early learning experience builds a lifetime of success. Preschool sessions are typically half-day attendance for children, but preschool teachers can manage morning and afternoon sessions. The role of teachers blends with requirements to promote safety and emotional well-being. Preschool teachers must create interesting, challenging, and engaging learning environments.

Preschool teachers with a bachelor’s degree have qualifications for teaching based on education. Some preschool teachers enter the field with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degree in childcare or child education. They can gain greater responsibility and professional knowledge through work experience.

Elementary education typically covers grades one through six. Grades one through three are part of the early childhood education range of birth through age eight or third grade. At these levels, teachers may not need to specialize in a single area because they will typically teach fundamentals in a range of basic subjects. The usual subjects include arithmetic, reading, English, science, and history.

Because they deal with young learners, teachers must be comfortable when working with student’s families. They play an important role in assessing students in the classroom and related settings. Teachers offer valuable insights for parents and other educators about a child’s learning abilities and steps that parents and the education system can take to improve the student outcomes.

College-level educators play a key role in the ongoing process of providing education for children and students of all ages. College level education teaching creates qualified teachers at the early childhood levels and all other levels through graduate and doctoral work. Nearly every teacher was once a student that was guided by well-trained teacher or professor.

College-level faculty also directly prepare the next generation of college professors. Graduate study requires intense relationships between graduate students and graduate school faculty. College level education professors perform research that advances the field of early childhood education. The field must grow with increasing demands for high-quality early childhood education as parents and the society overall learn the value of early education.

Search Programs Offering Early Childhood Education Majors

The role of the school principal relates to several groups connected to the function of a school. These include vital relationships with faculty, administrative personnel, parents of students, and the student body. The principal must also represent the institution as a part of a local community. The principal is a top executive that normally has the highest level of decision-making in the organization. However, principals must also often report to school boards, local elected officials, and other school administrators.

Principals must have strong communication skills and develop strong interpersonal relationships among the many parts of a dynamic school system and the community in which it exists. The overall concern must be for the personal and educational welfare of the students. The youngest learners are the most vulnerable and also the group upon which education has the greatest impact. While all students in elementary school are in youthful stages and forming intellectual and social identities, the youngest learners are in the most critical phase of educational development.

Teachers must have skills and knowledge that equips them to work with learners with emotional, physical, and mental limitations. However, these specially-able students may also need expert attention as they move towards fulfilling their potential. Special education teachers adapt lesson plans and educational practices to the needs of the special children in their care. They modify the general education lesson plans in various early education subjects including mathematics, science, reading, and writing.

Special education often involves technology aids that help students with special needs. These include devices for autism and hearing, visual, and ambulatory limitations. Special education techniques and methods must meet the needs and situation of the students and their families.

Teaching English as a second language can be a difficult task. ESL teachers help students that do not speak English as their first language adjust to education in their communities. Learning language is part of learning the culture in which the learner will study and live. ESL is important to other coursework too. Students that must learn English will frequently need language help in STEM and other coursework.

ESL teachers must use many types of tools and techniques to help students acquire English skills as quickly as possible. They must use creativity to design lessons that relate to the challenges facing the student using a new language to learn and integrate into a culture. ESL teachers need a bachelor’s degree. They may also get certification in multiple subjects or some specific subjects like math or science so that they may use their language teaching skills to work with students in specific subject areas.

School psychology is a specialized type of psychology practice that focuses on children and families within the school system. The school psychologist is a resource to promote social adjustment, emotional security, and academic well-being. The school psychologist’s first obligation is to the children.

A secondary role consists of advising the school system on ways to improve education. School psychologists perform regular assessments of students and their adaptation to the learning environment. They can diagnose learning abilities and detect physical, psychological, and emotional issues. School psychologists may review tests and test scores to assess and interpret the student’s experience. These highly trained professionals must also communicate well with colleagues, teachers, and parents. They also occasionally provide community education.

School psychologists may play an important role in detecting emotional and behavioral problems. They can work with students, school personnel and families to help resolve issues and develop plans or referrals for needed care.