What are the steps to become a preschool teacher (I am located in New Jersey)?

Question

I do not have any experience besides 6 months as a day care worker and have no idea how to pursue a career as a preschool teacher. Also I would love to hear people's perspectives on being a teacher. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

I am a preschool teacher I live in Mississippi. I teach at a community college where I went for my 2 year degree in Early Childhood Development. This is a wonderful program and you learn all areas in working with children from birth-preschool. I enjoy teaching the children I started out teaching at a head start program and when the job at the college became available I applied for it. I started out working with the toddlers and then I was moved to preschool. It is amazing what even the toddlers can learn. Your heart really needs to be in this sort of work because your never going to get rich from it ! The child care development program is great because you get hands on experience in working with children of all ages. In the last semester you have what we call teacher of the week where you plan all the lessons for that week. I love my job.

Answer 2

Julie P gave a really good answer.  I have been in the preschool business for 29 years and would never think of doing anything different.  I could have taught in public school but love working with preschool children.  In Ohio you can get a bachelors in pre-k thru third grade or you can opt. for an associate in early childhood.  You must have at least and associates to teach in Ohio.  You can become an aide without certification.  I began as a teacher and am now an administrator.  A lot of my staff started out as parent volunteers.  In my agency you can get "in-house" hours through volunteering.  If you are in-house you can apply for in-house jobs which means jobs are posted from with-in before they are advertised in the paper.  There is nothing better than watching young children blossom.  They soak up everything and they love you so much.  They are little people who want to be big and do big things.  Everything you do with them is appreciated.  Good luck!!  Go for it!!!