I am considering a job in a so-so daycare of Guest Art Teacher. I would teach 1 am per week and charge $10kid

Question

I have 6+ yrs. experience, but no degree. A friend and I direct an Art Camp in the summer, and are going to expand next year to include more weeks, but I need money now for son's college expenses. The daycare has the reputation of having kids who bite and hit. The director of the daycare takes 2 days off per week. Another teacher is in charge for those days. I will be teaching my Art Class on one of the days she is gone. I will teach 3's and 4's, 45 minute class with hopefully up to 10 kids. I have had classes of 16 4-year olds before when I taught Preschool. Should I take this job?

Answer 1

i would suggesg accepting the job with the stipulation that on either day, if a child can not participate due to behavior, he be removed from the classroom to another classroom, director's office or by his teacher.  put the responsibility on the teacher for the behavior management of her class.  she needs to prepare them for what will be happening and what is expected and what will happen if expectations aren't met.  put the burden on the center, not on yourself.

Answer 2

You need to remember that even though the Director may be away for on the day that you are teaching, the other teacher/assistant director should be just as competent at the job as the director. If there are any major incidents, the Director would be informed by the staff left in charge anyways. What is the centre policy for children that hit or bite? What would you be expected to do in a situation with behaviour problems? If you are comfortable with the information you receive from the centre and are confident in your abilities to manage a class of 10 3&4 year olds then you should have your answer.

You are teaching one day a week for 45 minutes. As pointed out by another reader, children often manage better for a guest teacher than they do for regular staff, especially when they realise what your expectations are. I often see people working in the preschool field who have no formal degree in Early Childhood Education but are just as good if not better than the staff that have the formal degree.

Answer 3

Do you want to take the time to teach these children to mind?  Children act different for different adults.  They can quickly learn what you expect and follow through, but you will have to be in control.