Should I become a pre-school teacher?

Question

I am 22 and have put off choosing a career because I am afraid I will choose the wrong one. However, the time has come to get on with it. A number of family members have told me that I would make a good pre-school teacher and so this is now what i am considering. I guess that essentially what I would like to do is prep children to cope at school, with their education, self-esteem and other children. Should I choose this path for myself? Are there any pre-school teachers reading this? If so, what made you want to become one? Can you tell me the pros and cons of your job please. Is it a job that you can do until you retire?

Answer 1

I think that if you truly wanted to be a pre-school teacher, you wouldn't have to ask this question. I knew early on in my life that I wanted to work with small children. I started early childhood education classes during high school and went on to further my education in the field after high school. I believe that the teachers that excell in this field have a passion for working with children. Many people think that this is an easy job. It isn't. There is alot of stress associated with teaching in a preschool atmosphere. Not only that, there is alot of planning and learning that you SHOULD do. Many states do not require that you go to school to work with young children. I have worked in some of these states and the pre-school should not be called pre-schools. They should be called day care centers or boot camps. There's alot to learn about how to communicate with children of this age, what activities are age appropriate, and what they should or should not be doing according to the developmental levels. As for the pro's and con's I'll list them below:

Pro's:

1. working with little children all day long
2. helping to mold todays youth into tomorrows leaders
3. lots of hugs
4. lots of smiles
5. sweet little comments that make your day!
6. weekends off
7. work day hours
8. discounted or free child care
9. paid meals. You'll usually eat with your class

Con's:

1. Very low pay. In a private school setting you can look forward to making min. wage or just above. I have 15 years experience and make $7.10 per hour. The McDonalds across the road pays $7.50 :) You can go to a public school but the pay only ranges about 25,000-35,000 per year.
2. long stressful days. Dealing with 1 or 2 children in the class that are out of control.
3. Not much of a success ladder to climb if any. You may be able to go to Director of the school. But, that is about it for you aside from owning your center.
4. holidays and sick days are usually not paid
5. inability to take personal days off as needed for your family because the center will low on staff if you do.


In other words, you need to have a true passion to work with this age group. The pay is not rewarding. You do it because you love working with children. Nothing more. Hope that helps! :)

Answer 2

Since you are unsure about becoming a pre-school teacher why don't you consider visiting a pre-school to see how you like it.
Remember this you will be surrounded by a lot of small children some days they will behave other days they may not & on most occasions you will have half to listen & half that will not. But I do know that it is a job you can have until you retire just like any other teacher. But only you can choose if it is the right job for you or not.

Answer 3

It is your choice. If you enjoy children of that age and think you could contribute to their learning abilities so they can move on to the first grade then go for it, you will not know until you try. Why not go to a Pre-school as a guest for a week and see how you like it or if you can even cope with it at all? then decide, But always leave the door open so to speak just in case. Children that age can be pretty intense.. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I'm a pre-school teacher. If you go to a small pre-school you don't have to have much education (i.e. college) to get hired. I have my high school diploma, and some experience with kids - that's it. It's a fun job, but one you could VERY VERY VERY easily get burnt out on. Not to mention that after 10 years the pre-school might not be there. Fundings get cut often, and businesses close down. Retiring as a pre-school teacher isn't ideal, in my opinion. Being a pre-school teacher while you get through college is.

Answer 5

You might not do it till you retire but if you like kids very well,this is the job for you. You can understand more about kids. You can have fun while doing your job. It's not as stressful as being a primary school teacher. And you would be the person to tell those kids out there what's the world like and teach them about a whole lots more of stuff. Being a pre-school teacher is like a candle or the light of the kids. Well,it's hard for me to explain this,but you should go for it.

Answer 6

I'm not a Pre_school "Teacher" but have children who all went through the process, have been a teacher, guide, mentor, counselor,,etc,,,and I offer this.

All should be "certified" and that includes certain levels of education.

If you truly feel you have a passion,,,then I suggest College, and in particular "Early Childhood Development" studies.

What you may very well encounter,,,initially at least in what might be a chosen application of desire, is (NO OFFENSE) a level of baby sitting???

What you can do,,,and develop,,, is a plan for life, and the skills, abilities, empathy, understanding, that Child development NEEDS, in our current systems.

Certainly you may become a Teacher of Children, in that regard, and a mentor,,,,even a "surrogte parent" and those are extremely valid.

What courses you engage in to GET INVOLVED,,,need not be as mundane as diaper changing of course,,,but as a course for what you might wish to eventually achieve; things such as Chilhood Psyhcology, behavioral issues, parenting, the basics of cirriculums, and disciplines in staff participants,,,etc. are also all valid.

Think of it as a way to POSSIBLY,,"MAKE A DIFFERENCE",, and choose to do so, not for any expectations, but for the rational of it.

Rev. Steven

Answer 7

I am a preschool teacher in Massachusetts. I completed on year of college, and included in that I took a course called 'child growth and development'. That course, and something like nine months experience working with children, were the requirements for me to get my preschool teaching certificate. I don't know the rules from state to state, though.

Answer 8

I think that you should become a pre-school teacher. In doing so you can wake up every morning knowing that you are going to work to hold mold and shape their future. You could leave everyday knowing that you help some kid in soem way that you may never know. Sometimes they get that little love and attention that they are missing from home. That would make me feel good about my job.

Answer 9

Well pre-school is hard and difficult because you can teach many simple things but the children may vary in personality.

Answer 10

if u enjoy being around kids. Don't base it on the amount of money u get, There is no use being a doctor or something that pays a lot if u dread going into that place every day.