Related Career Categories

• Assistant Teacher
• Child Care Provider
• Coach
• College Administrator
• College Librarian
• College Professor
• Curriculum Developer
• Elementary Teacher
• High School Teacher
• Independent Teacher
• Kindergarten Teacher
• Librarian
• Library Assistant
• Middle-School Teacher
• Preschool Administrator
• Preschool Teacher
• Principal
• Program Administrator
• School Administrator
• School Counselor
• School Librarian
• Special Education Teacher

School and Career Surprises: Tips From People on the Job

Career: "What I think most people would be surprised to find out is that as an early childhood educator, I am not just a babysitter. I create lesson plans, conduct parent/teacher meetings, and help children build the foundations of education that will help them continue to learn and grow effectively once they get into elementary school."

Best & Worst Things About This Career

"The best part about my job is when the children say "WOW" after a cool science experiment or when I can tell they just "got" a math concept. I enjoy working with this age group because so much is new to them. Because I'm not there regular all day teacher they look forward to the change in their schedule once a week to go to a different classroom or have me visit their room depending on the facility. The worst part of my job is when there is a child or a few children that ruin it for the rest of the group. Sometimes there is a child who just won't listen to instruction or is not able to sit still. This makes for a challenging lesson because I really want to give my attention to the good listeners and not the disruptive children."

"I love my job. The best part about it is watching the incredible growth that occurs in children in the pre-school years. They are pure and wholesome and so excited to learn and try new things. They say the funniest things and they are so proud of their accomplishments. I love the growth that is so obvious from the beginning of the year to spring time, physically, socially, and cognitively. It is wonderful to have a child feel safe with their teachers and in their environment and thrive. I would have to say the hardest part of the job is that you need A LOT of energy to keep up with this population! They are very busy and like to explore everything! Also, prior to language development they typically become frustrated trying to express themselves and this can come out in hitting or biting etc."

Tips for Succeeding in This Career

"Study different learning styles Really be sure you like working with children. It's ok if you don't. It's not for everyone and it doesn't make you a bad person! Be friendly but stern. Kids sense when you are a "pushover" and they will push!"

"If you love children and have patience and a lot of energy you will enjoy working as a pre-school teacher. If you would like flexibility in hours to accommodate raising a family, a pre-school setting typically follows the school calendar and hours. Spend time in a particular pre-school setting either visiting or substituting to see if the program is well run and a good fit for you."