Can I teach pre-school or kindergarden if I only have a BA in Anthropology? Would I need to take a praxis?

Question

Can I teach pre-school or kindergarden if I only have a BA in Anthropology? Would I need to take a praxis?

Answer 1

It varies state to state, but in California you need 12 units of education classes to be a preschool teacher (though you could be hired as an aide, rather than a teacher).  A private school may not require you to have a teaching credential, so you might try there...I wouldn't really recommend trying to teach either without training!

Answer 2

You would need to take certain classes for preschool and get a teaching credential for Kindergarten. Do you feel you could go teach right now with no teaching classes? You will be surprised how much there is to learn.

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I'm not sure what a praxis is.

Answer 3

Depending on your state, some states are in such desperate need of teachers that they are allowing people to begin teaching immediately while getting an "emergency teaching certification".  This is however typically for teachers in Science and Mathematics where people make so much more money in the secular world.

Answer 4

I'm assuming you're in the USA? You'll need at least a teaching certification in order to teach kindergarten, which means taking some education courses and possibly student teaching.  Then you take the exam for your state and become certified to teach.

Answer 5

I think you could. This will vary ... you use the word "teach" here, and all public school teachers "must have at least a bachelor’s degree, complete an approved teacher education program, and be licensed." Yes, it is possible. You'll have to be hired. You may qualify for alternative certification. You could become a teacher under an alternative certification program if pre-school and kindergarten are areas of special need in your state. "Many States offer alternative licensing programs to attract people into teaching, especially for hard-to-fill positions."

My wife was able to start work as an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher under an alternative certification program -- her Bachelor's degree is in Art and Biology. I started my own teaching career without certification, and around the same time I completed my Bachelor's degree. But in my case, I started teaching at the first year college level as part of my Master's degree program.



For more general information, I recommend you visit the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook website -- link is provided. For information specific to your state, you should also consult with an education professional, either someone who assists in teacher preparation at a local college or an administrator (a principal, a superintendent) or perhaps a teacher who's had to go through a similar process.