Preschool teachers, I was wondering...?

Question

how long have you been teaching? I have been in the field for 9 1/2 years and at my school for 4. I just noticed today that myself and a friend were the only ones "left" since I started. So, how long have you been teaching? What would make you leave the field?

Answer 1

i am new to the field (this is my first year) and i think a lot of people don't view the field as a "profession".  this leads to lower wages, little emphasis on and support for furthering one's education, a lack of respect from parents and others, all of which can make one feel severely undervalued, especially when there is a huge emotional and personal investment being made by the educator.  i believe this is changing, especially with efforts of organizations like naeyc and the movement to make preschool a part of the public school system. sorry a bit of a tangent.

Answer 2

I have been working with pre-school aged children for the past 10 years. I started out in High School working at a summer camp for 3 and 4 yr olds. After college (and getting my bachelors in music ed) I started looking for jobs. I didn't find anything and ended up "settling" for a preschool job. I quickly became frustrated because I wanted the freedom to teach what I wanted and the rigidity of seeing the same kids (they frequently changed around kids to keep ratios correct). I left that position and took a long-term music sub position at a catholic school. It was a GREAT opportunity for me, but didn't lead anywhere because the contacts it lead to didn't want me because I wasn't catholic. So... I begged my friend to get me a job at her preschool. I did. But they weren't happy with me and I ended up leaving in January.

HOWEVER... in my 2 years since graduating I have learned SO MUCH. I have a job at a preschool and I am very happy with my job! In fact, I was just offered a lead teacher position. What I learned in my past jobs helped prepare me for my current job.

There is a very high turnover rate in preschool. It's hard to deal with that age day in and day out without getting stressed or frustrated. But if you love what you do, you find a way past it all and find the joy in your day to day work. Plus the pay is horrible for what you have to put up with. I see myself staying at this position until new opportunities open up to me. Eventually I would like to become a director of a preschool. But for now... I'm happy to just play with the kids and expand their knowledge of the world!

Answer 3

i have been teaching for 6 years. There was a principle at the centre, and he asked me to be in his school teaching primary kids. Thats how i left for the same type of job just in a different situation! Just remember to keep your options open and always be positive.

Answer 4

I have been teaching for almost 10 years.  At the center I am at currently, I have been there 5 years, there are only 4 original people there.   People left here for different reasons.  Marriage, babies, school, different jobs.

I think that the low wages, underappreciation from parents, and stress are a big part of daycare rollover.  

I can't think of anything that would make me personally leave the field, but that's me.

Answer 5

Preschool is difficult.  I have been teaching for 8 years and I am currently at my third place of employment.  I stay in the profession because it is rewarding and I love the kids.  I worked in a childcare center for 5 years and I too watched people come and go.  It's like the center had a revolving door! I left the center to finish my education and moved on to K and now teach pre-K (again) I came back to it because I love it.  This profession needs dedicated teachers that want to make a difference. It's hard to find people that will dedicate themselves to a career path that sometimes seems like a dead end.  Those of you out there that are making a difference.. THANK YOU! and keep your heads up:)

Answer 6

I have worked in the industry for 13 years ranging from schools, kindergartens/preschool and child care centres. Finally, after 2 years of wanting to get out - I had lost that passion, and felt I was on auto pilot - which wasn't fair on the children or myself - I have finally had the opportunity to branch off, and am now a recruitment consultant for a company that places relief staff into child care centres.

I have found the change totally refreshing, and did not realise just how close I was to burning out until now.

I admire those that stay in the profession for all of their working lives - who knows - I may go back to it one day, but at the moment I am so glad I have made the move away from "being on the floor".

Answer 7

i was teaching for 5 years then we had this big play thing the kids were so cute! anyway there was a principle at the centre (his son was in the play)he asked me to be in his school teaching older kids in primary so thats how i left for the same type of job just in a bigger field! (keep your options open and good luck)!!!!! i hope i helped!

Answer 8

I have been teaching for 6 years now at the same place and am in the same situation. Only two of us are left!  The first year was by far the most difficult and I think a lot of teachers give up in the first few years because they may realise the career path just isn`t for them.  There is also collegues and principals to consider, in my school they change quite often and sometimes they can be extremely ignorant about preschool education or their philosophy may not match with mine. Many teachers left for that reason.  Right now I have a very good co-teacher to work with, but there are some people in my school who  it would be very difficult  for me to work with on a day to day basis as their philosophy is completely the opposite of mine (all free play vs. structure or  Behavior reinforcement  vs. let children do their own thing). Also parents are a big factor, depending on how much leverage they have, they can make it nearly impossible for me to do my job. I do my best to explain my ideas and they usually understand, but some don`t.  I would consider working at another school or opening my own school but don`t know if I could afford it as the salary I have now is quite good.

Answer 9

I was teaching for 6 years and at my school for all those years. I started off as a "floater" and then became the pre-k teacher which I did for 4 years. I then moved on to be the 2.9 teacher for the last year I was there.

I left for several reasons. The first one was, I was in a small place and was the opener. I dealt with a lot being the first one in. I worked with my aunt and cousin and we were all preschool teachers which made it difficult.

Lastly, I was simply burnt out.

Answer 10

I am not a preschool teacher but I had a friend that was. She said that the low wages, and having to buy her own supplies because the supply closets were too unorganized and understocked, not having the other staffs cooperation in certian matters and some other things made her leave.

Answer 11

I have been a director at a childcare center for a year now and was a teacher for 2 years.  Preschool and childcare have the big turnover rates in employment.  One of the biggest factors is that the pay is not good enough. Some of the factors of leaving the preschool setting would be that it is not what they expected.  We have teachers coming right out of college and it never prepares you for preschool.  The teachers still need to change diapers sometimes at this age and the teachers are not happy about that too.  Most teachers want to teach.  You are teaching, but not like you would for ele. school.  They mainly are learning through play with teacher guidance. It takes special, dedicated people to be in a preschool program for a number of years.