What Does it Take to Be a Preschool Teacher?
Occupation Description Instruct preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for primary school in preschool, day care center, or other child development facility. May be required to hold State certification.
Life As a Preschool Teacher
- Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
- Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
- Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Demonstrate activities to children.
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students’ needs and progress.
Things a Preschool Teacher Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Preschool Teachers say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Child Development Associate Teacher (CDA Teacher)
- Head Start Teacher
- Childhood Development Teacher
- Montessori Paraprofessional
- Associate Teacher
Job Demand for Preschool Teachers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 478,500 jobs in the United States for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education.
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 50,100 new jobs for Preschool Teachers by 2026. The BLS estimates 53,600 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education are Texas, New York, and California.
Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Wyoming, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Preschool Teacher Average Salary
The salary for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education ranges between about $20,610 and $55,350 a year. A Preschool Teacher median salary is $29,780.
How much do Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
New York |
$48,630 |
|
Connecticut |
$43,350 |
|
District of Columbia |
$42,060 |
|
New Jersey |
$40,880 |
|
Hawaii |
$39,560 |
|
Massachusetts |
$39,180 |
|
Maryland |
$38,440 |
|
Nebraska |
$37,980 |
|
Virginia |
$37,880 |
|
California |
$37,850 |
|
Minnesota |
$37,500 |
|
Alaska |
$36,210 |
|
Maine |
$35,560 |
|
Michigan |
$35,010 |
|
Texas |
$34,960 |
|
Vermont |
$34,290 |
|
New Mexico |
$34,100 |
|
Kentucky |
$33,650 |
|
Arkansas |
$33,150 |
|
Colorado |
$33,140 |
|
Washington |
$32,960 |
|
Tennessee |
$32,630 |
|
Wyoming |
$32,610 |
|
West Virginia |
$32,560 |
|
Nevada |
$32,540 |
|
Rhode Island |
$32,400 |
|
Louisiana |
$32,290 |
|
Kansas |
$31,560 |
|
Illinois |
$31,500 |
|
Montana |
$31,160 |
|
Arizona |
$31,010 |
|
Georgia |
$30,910 |
|
New Hampshire |
$30,860 |
|
South Dakota |
$30,860 |
|
Missouri |
$30,440 |
|
Oregon |
$30,400 |
|
Utah |
$29,700 |
|
Oklahoma |
$29,310 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$29,250 |
|
Ohio |
$29,020 |
|
South Carolina |
$28,940 |
|
Delaware |
$28,910 |
|
North Carolina |
$28,260 |
|
North Dakota |
$28,220 |
|
Florida |
$27,990 |
|
Mississippi |
$27,940 |
|
Indiana |
$27,250 |
|
Iowa |
$27,030 |
|
Wisconsin |
$26,550 |
|
Idaho |
$26,000 |
|
Alabama |
$24,800 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Preschool Teachers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Preschool Teachers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Word
How do I Become a Preschool Teacher?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Preschool Teacher?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Preschool Teachers Are Employed
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as Preschool Teachers sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School
- Massage Therapists
- Musicians, Instrumental
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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