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I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

Last post 10-17-2009 10:55 AM by Gaye. 5 replies.
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  • 10-10-2009 9:42 PM

    I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

    or first grade, but kindergarten is my first choice 

    I plan on going to college, is there a place where I can go to talk to kindergarten teachers, and get some insight. And what classes do I need to take in high school, im a junior, hat about in college?

     

    any advice welcome

    if it wasnt for the kissing tradition, no one would care about mistletoe.

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  • 10-11-2009 8:45 AM In reply to

    • swedluv
    • Top 50 Contributor
      Female
    • Joined on 06-08-2008
    • North Carolina
    • Posts 846

    Re: I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

    Tiffany, the college I attend has what is called an "Early College" program. It is for High school students. They take courses that are for the high school curriculum, and some for college. I don't know all the details, except that I want my son to go. When you graduate from high school, you also graduate with an associate degree. Then for college you can take specialized courses for your major, in your case, teaching. The best thing is: IT'S FREE!!!!!!!!!!   Check into it with your local community colleges to see if they have one.

    Lynn


  • 10-11-2009 2:36 PM In reply to

    • MarthaMFI
    • Top 10 Contributor
      Female
    • Joined on 04-16-2008
    • New Westminster, BC, Canada
    • Posts 4,251

    Re: I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

    what does the college say when you ask what you need to be a teacher?   most have a set list of courses for degrees.

  • 10-11-2009 3:20 PM In reply to

    Re: I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

    The requirements will vary slightly from state to state - your best bet is to check the Department of Education website for your state and see what their requirements are. If you go to college in a state other than the one you intend to teach in, be very careful - teaching certification does not automatically transfer from state to state, and you may have to take additional classes where you want to teach if you are certified in another state.  Be careful about what out of state universities tell you - my cousing went to a university that told her that her certification would transfer to her home state, and it didn't; she had to take additional classes and recertify before she could get a job.  She majored in Early Childhood Education, and has been teaching kindergarden for 6 or 7 years, and loves it.  Personally, I prefer older kids - I teach middle school - but if I moved to another state I would have similar problems transferring my certification.

    In the meantime, check with local schools about opportunities to volunteer in elementary classrooms.  My education program (granted, this was 17 years ago) required 50 hours working with unrelated children under 12, in groups of 3 or larger, as one of the entrance requirements.  It could be paid or unpaid.  Check with your high school guidance counselor about any programs that are available between your high school and the elementary schools that feed into it - that would be the easiest way to get in.  If that doesn't work, go to the elementaries and ask to speak to the guidance counselor (if they have one) or the assistant principal (if they have one) or the principal about how you can volunteer at the school.  Check for job openings at day camps, before and after school programs, and daycares - any of those will give you experience with your desired age group. 

    As far as classes go, make sure you take all of the classes required for college entrance, to give you a good grounding for college.  Good grades, extracurricular activities, and good scores on the SAT or ACT will all help you get into college.

    Good luck!

  • 10-11-2009 6:56 PM In reply to

    • MarthaMFI
    • Top 10 Contributor
      Female
    • Joined on 04-16-2008
    • New Westminster, BC, Canada
    • Posts 4,251

    Re: I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

    someone from moms group is doing that, volunteering in the classroom 2 days a week to qualify for a teaching program.  she has a degree but needed 2 yrs more school to be a teacher.

  • 10-17-2009 10:55 AM In reply to

    • Gaye
    • Top 500 Contributor
      Female
    • Joined on 06-08-2008
    • Phoenix area
    • Posts 42

    Re: I REALLY want to be a kindergarten teacher...

    I teach 8th grade in AZ. I would strongly advise you to find teachers in your area of interest and ask questions! Teaching - even in kindergarten - requires so much work in lesson planning. Writing the objectives for each area you teach in a day is taxing. Perhaps there is even a discussion group on the net you could find, in your area.

     

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