What is it like to be a PPCD teacher?

Question

I have subbed in a PPCD (pre-k special ed) and enjoy it. I also know about IEP and ARD/IEP meetings. What I want to know is what is it like to be a PPCD teacher for the entire year? How do you know what lessons to do with the students. I have had the lessons already planned for me when I have subbed.

Answer 1

To teach Pre-K all year, you need an abundance of energy. Activities for this age group often involve physical movement and changes in activities after a short period of time. Truly, at least before noon, these little guys don't seem to get tired.

Pre-K teachers have the job of preparing children for kindergarten. If you go in and watch a kindergarten, you will be able to see some of the skills that are needed, such as:

*Sharing and taking turns

*Asking for help appropriately

*Being able to transition between activities

*Being able to sit in circle and at a table for a period of time.

*Being able to listen to a story

*How to read a book from front to back

*Pre-handwriting

*Walking in line

*Letter sound ID for older Pre-K

*Colors, number, shapes

*Cutting and pasting

*Raising had to speak

*Calendar

These are just a few of the things that you will be teaching. Also, all school districts have a Pre-K curriculum guide that is rather specific. I suggest you get a teaching credential and if possible, specialize in Pre-K or at least student teach in Pre-K. There is really no substitute for this.

Answer 2

If you liked subbing, you'd like doing it all year. If you went to get your credential (in California), you'd be required to take 30 or more classes, and a lot of the projects are thematic units with lessons that you can use in your own room.

Unless there is only one PPCD class at the school, the other teachers in that department would have certain routines that they recommend using and a lot of the materials would be in the room.

There is a great shortage nationwide of special ed teachers (equal to that of math and science teachers).  There are more special ed. teachers retiring than new ones graduating, and those that do, have the highest burn-out/quitting rate. So, you could practically work in any state in the U.S.

  SEE LINK BELOW:

More than 50000 teachers are needed to solve the special education shortage, with 98 percent of the nation's largest school districts reporting shortages.