Any preschool teachers here?

[sake]

I worked for half a year last year as a pre school teacher in a head start program. I didn't like it much, mostly because you had to have the students complete "gradeable" activities, and then put them in an online gradebook, and I don't really think that grades are developmentally appropriate for preschoolers, and I believe they should be learning more through play.

I did love the age group though! They were all so cute, and fun, and sweet.

It was much lower paying than any other teaching position I have ever had. Like I went from making about 40k to 16k. WTF was I thinking? that was a HUGE deterrent for me staying there, and one of the reasons I ultimately left, when I was offered a mid year teaching position at my current school.

[speckledfrog]

You are going to, likely, make shit for pay. IME, Church preschools tend to pay a bit more because they don't have to pay rent/mortgage. If you can find a NAEYC accredited preschool I highly recommend it. Great ratios, great philosophy on teaching children.

I have my BS in Early Childhood Education and when I didn't get a job in a public school I took one in a child care center. I loved it and stayed there. With my education it has never been difficult for me to get a job. Depending on where you are looking, if you have a few credits it shouldn't be difficult for you either. You may or may not have to start out as an assistant teacher and work up to lead. I've always worked in classrooms that have co-teachers and prefer that.

Since you have the time, research schools in your area. Check out local message boards and see who they are recommending. Check out your state licensing agent (Usually CPS or your state's version) and see if you can find reports. Texas has a public record of the previous two years and any violations are reported there. If it looks like a shitshow from that run far away. Check out your states minimum standards so you have an idea of what their practices should be like.

When you go on interviews ask about teacher turnover rates. Ask about training. Ask how they handle planning time. Try to find a school with low ratios, it makes a world of difference. Ask for a tour of the school. Go with your gut when choosing where you want to work.

As I mentioned before, I really loved it and I had the pleasure of working with some really great women.

[Deleted]

I was a preschool teacher for two years, and as far as pay goes I will tell you that in my area you can't make much more than minimum wage working at a center. The only people I know who make any sort of decent money are the ones who own their own in-home preschool/daycare. I loved my job and I adored the kids, but in a lot of areas it's not something you can make a decent career out of, unless you're the owner.

[speckledfrog]

Apr 29, 2013 13:31:38 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

VERY helpful info.. keep it coming!

Just to add a little background, I have my BS in Business Admin. I already made a decision on which school to get the ECE credits.

My husband is the breadwinner in the family and my income won't matter too much but I just feel guilty not making more. I wonder if I could get past that, expecially since we won't technically need more.

I researched jobs in the area, and confirmed they pay low. Very low. But the good news is that the jobs seem to be there. One downfall is that most require some sort of experience with kids in a preschool setting, which I don't have. But I'm hoping I will find some volunteer opportunities while taking courses.

Becoming a preschool director has also crossed my mind, but I'd want the experience as a teacher first. 

FWIW, we get all our insurance coverage through my husband, so that is not needed.

I used to want to be a director until I became an assistant director.  I do not want the buck stopping with me.  I want it stopping way the hell over there.  Being third man on the totem pole (there was an owner as well) ended up being has high as I wanted to go.

[snickers]

I left my really well paying job (about $70,000), to work in a preschool while my husband and I TTC and while I am pregnant (I still work for the same company). My job title before this was a youth care worker where I work with youth that are extremely physically aggressive and have special needs. My husband and I decided that I would switch jobs temporarily while pregnant, because these children on general principal seek to kill your baby (I wish I was kidding, but it has happened a few times.).  I now work in a preschool, where I make a salary that equals about $20.00. Most ECE'S at my centre get paid about $14 an hour, but I negotiated a higher wage and I have a degree in child and youth care instead of a diploma.

I will be completely honest with you. The children are cute, and it is amazing to be apart of their early learning experience. However, I do not love the job. For the first year, I was sick at least every 2 weeks. I would get over something, and get sick again. My day goes by fast, and I put lots of passion and enthusiasm into it but I long for the day I can return to my old job. Also, it is a lot of older women working in this field and I find them to be very caddy, stuck in their ways, and brunt out. The burn out rate for daycare is about 3-5 years.

I did not have a hard time finding this job because it was basically an internal move that I requested, and I just waited until a spot opened for me. Anyone I know in this field has found a job easily. My hours are M-F 7am-330 PM. I get a paid 1 hour lunch, my RRSP is paid for by the company and I get medial and dental and life insurance coverage. I also get an annual bonus anywhere between 500-5000.


Have you considered volunteering in an ECE classroom first?

Either way, I wish you all the best. I also don't mean to be a negative Nancy, I just wanted to be honest!

[snickers]

Apr 29, 2013 14:52:44 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

Apr 29, 2013 14:37:12 GMT -5 @crackhabit said:

Definitely agree about the burnout.

And the turnaround. I tried to stay at a center/school for more than a year, but a lot of time it just didn't happen. Expect your coworkers to turnaround even faster.

Yup.

[EmilieMadison]

I am a former preschool teacher. I will echo everything that has already been said. I am wondering, though, what is your main motivating factor for wanting to be a preschool teacher? It's a rewarding job, but the burnout and turnover rate is very high for a reason: low pay for physically and emotionally exhausting work. You have to REALLY love the job to do it long-term.

[livinitup]

I'm a social worker, so I enjoy a bit of that sense of hard work, quick thinking and impact. When folks get inspired to switch careers, I often recommend that they do some volunteer hours at a place that would benefit from their involvement + keep their good paying jobs. I don't mean to discourage anybody, but those volunteer hours are literally the BEST of the experience. Volunteers are treated so well, get the best shifts and appreciated so much. Once you become an employee, you're in the grind like everyone else, paid to do a job and all the crap that comes with it. If you can afford low wages, just try to cut your hours at your boring job and beef -up your volunteer hours at a good center. Hitting that balance will result in a great life.