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Childcare Chatboard

Indecisive about teaching

by Brittany Lofton

Dec 28, 2010

I currently work for a daycare center in Oklahoma, I have been working in childcare since parents thought I was old enough to take care of their children. I am 21 years old now and contemplating on if I want to go back to school and become a grade school teacher or find another path I would like to travel down. Some days at my job I could see mysel...See More

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Sara What level of education do you have now? If nothing past high school, you could kill two birds with one stone and take education classes that would help you to certify in 'Early Childhood' and also help you to prepare and certify in elementary education.

Other questions would be- how much of a hardship would the tuition be? How much debt d...See MoreWhat level of education do you have now? If nothing past high school, you could kill two birds with one stone and take education classes that would help you to certify in 'Early Childhood' and also help you to prepare and certify in elementary education.

Other questions would be- how much of a hardship would the tuition be? How much debt do you want to take on? And -does your current employer pay for any classes or any portion of your tuition - some employers do.

And - do you get benefits in your current job? Most of us eventually need jobs with benefits particularly health insurance. Can you make a living at your current job?

Those kind of things can be considered when you consider staying with your current job or moving on. You sound like a born teacher to me - your description of children's faces lighting up - and yes, also the frustration. Good teachers speak of both and I think you're likely to be very good teacher with any age or grade. You don't sound indecisive to me about teaching - but you sound indecisive as to whether you want to go back to school or not to certify to teach a different age.

> I can't be of much help because I'm just a student going to > school right now but maybe you can try and get a taste in an > older classroom to see if it's really what you want to do. > Working with the younger kids is a lot of stress but maybe > you're just burned out by the age-group? Maybe if it's > possible you can move to pre-schoolers and kindergarteners? > They are a little more manageable because they're at a better > age of undertanding, of course you'll have your days when you > feel like it's just been a long day. You can even maybe go up > to the 1st grade age level where the classroom is more > instruction based and the environment is more serious. > > I was a former nursing student and there were some days I > can't believe I made the change but I don't regret it. I love > what I'm learning and I love the kids. I'm doing Early > Childhood which is birth-2nd grade and in school you get to > work with a variety of these grades to see where you fit in > more. If you want something that is a little more academic > based then definetely look into 1st and 2nd grade. > > On 12/28/10, Brittany Lofton wrote: >> I currently work for a daycare center in Oklahoma, I have >> been working in childcare since parents thought I was old >> enough to take care of their children. I am 21 years old >> now and contemplating on if I want to go back to school and >> become a grade school teacher or find another path I would >> like to travel down. Some days at my job I could see myself >> being a teacher until I retire because I love doing >> activities with my kids and watching their faces light up >> when they get excited or when they like doing the things I >> have planned for them....but other days I'm about ready to >> just give up and walk away. I work with 2 year olds, and >> their not the worst two year olds in the world but their >> not the worst, our 3 year old classroom is a little less >> managable but mainly I want to ask fellow teachers out >> there if working in a elementary school is worth going to >> school for it, if the kids actually want to do the >> activities you have planned for them, if they listen to >> you, if everyday you go to your job loving it. I'm just >> having a hard time figuring out if this is something I want >> to move forward in, any advice would be greatfully helpful

Dec 28, 2010

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Alex Sara had some wonderful points. Adding on to that, I would look at job availability in your state. Teaching jobs are pretty hard to come by in much of the country right now. You could always take a class or two at a time until the job market improves. That way you could also keep your job (not so much of a financial burden).

On 12/28/10, ...See MoreSara had some wonderful points. Adding on to that, I would look at job availability in your state. Teaching jobs are pretty hard to come by in much of the country right now. You could always take a class or two at a time until the job market improves. That way you could also keep your job (not so much of a financial burden).

On 12/28/10, Sara wrote: > What level of education do you have now? If nothing past high > school, you could kill two birds with one stone and take education > classes that would help you to certify in 'Early Childhood' and > also help you to prepare and certify in elementary education. > > Other questions would be- how much of a hardship would the tuition > be? How much debt do you want to take on? And -does your current > employer pay for any classes or any portion of your tuition - some > employers do. > > And - do you get benefits in your current job? Most of us > eventually need jobs with benefits particularly health insurance. > Can you make a living at your current job? > > > > Those kind of things can be considered when you consider staying > with your current job or moving on. You sound like a born teacher > to me - your description of children's faces lighting up - and > yes, also the frustration. Good teachers speak of both and I think > you're likely to be very good teacher with any age or grade. You > don't sound indecisive to me about teaching - but you sound > indecisive as to whether you want to go back to school or not to > certify to teach a different age. > > > > >> I can't be of much help because I'm just a student going to >> school right now but maybe you can try and get a taste in an >> older classroom to see if it's really what you want to do. >> Working with the younger kids is a lot of stress but maybe >> you're just burned out by the age-group? Maybe if it's >> possible you can move to pre-schoolers and kindergarteners? >> They are a little more manageable because they're at a better >> age of undertanding, of course you'll have your days when you >> feel like it's just been a long day. You can even maybe go up >> to the 1st grade age level where the classroom is more >> instruction based and the environment is more serious. >> >> I was a former nursing student and there were some days I >> can't believe I made the change but I don't regret it. I love >> what I'm learning and I love the kids. I'm doing Early >> Childhood which is birth-2nd grade and in school you get to >> work with a variety of these grades to see where you fit in >> more. If you want something that is a little more academic >> based then definetely look into 1st and 2nd grade. >> >> On 12/28/10, Brittany Lofton wrote: >>> I currently work for a daycare center in Oklahoma, I have >>> been working in childcare since parents thought I was old >>> enough to take care of their children. I am 21 years old >>> now and contemplating on if I want to go back to school and >>> become a grade school teacher or find another path I would >>> like to travel down. Some days at my job I could see myself >>> being a teacher until I retire because I love doing >>> activities with my kids and watching their faces light up >>> when they get excited or when they like doing the things I >>> have planned for them....but other days I'm about ready to >>> just give up and walk away. I work with 2 year olds, and >>> their not the worst two year olds in the world but their >>> not the worst, our 3 year old classroom is a little less >>> managable but mainly I want to ask fellow teachers out >>> there if working in a elementary school is worth going to >>> school for it, if the kids actually want to do the >>> activities you have planned for them, if they listen to >>> you, if everyday you go to your job loving it. I'm just >>> having a hard time figuring out if this is something I want >>> to move forward in, any advice would be greatfully helpful

Jan 6, 2011

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wild cat science board (18mo-4yrs)

by Rachel

Dec 31, 2010

I am trying to create a science board for my home child care. My son loves cats, so I am trying to do a wild cat themed science center. I have about 6 wild cat plastic toys, about 15 wild cat books. I am trying to do a display that shows sizes, and names of different types of wild cats. I would also like to include baby cats and there names.
<...See More

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Schari Not sure if you are asking.

But if you are asking what kind of board to use, I use the tri fold presentation boards that you can get at office supply stores. I get the black board since that is a good background for making your display items stand out.

Some of them I hand on the wall and some of them I stand on tables.

On...See More

Jan 1, 2011

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Outsourcing the nutritional education to private firms

by Anabelle

Jan 10, 2011

The preparation of healthy and tasty food for toddlers can be a burden to daycare provides given how busy they already are with academic education. As a result, several daycars have started to ousource this task to a private firm so they can focus all their energy and resources on academic education. I would be curious to know how you feel about th...See More

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chewing

by cyn

Jan 13, 2011

I care for a three year that chews on everything toys, clothing, shoes, you name it and he will chew on it. Is this normal behavior for a three year old.

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chewing

by cyn

Jan 13, 2011

I care for a three year that chews on everything toys, clothing, shoes, you name it and he will chew on it. Is this normal behavior for a three year old.

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Leah Excellent ideas everyone.

Also, could he have a dietary problem? I would recommend an appointment since his behavior seems out of the normal range. The parent should take the data when she/he meets with the doctor

Jan 20, 2011

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meeeha/ece/hi The other thought that comes to my mind is dental concerns ... not just caries, but the possibility of a "malocclusion" where the jaw closes or teeth meet at a stressful angle. More often seen in adults, but a possibility even at 3! Might encourage Mom/Dad to have him see the family dentist as well.

jeanne (aka "meeeha/ece/hi")

Jan 20, 2011

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Facebook

by Janet

Jan 13, 2011

I am going to be doing some free giveaways soon on my fanpage. CLick below and "like" the page. THanks

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ece associate degree on line programs

by montmo

Jan 16, 2011

In order to keep my program licensed, I need to either do the CDA thing or get an associate's degree in ece. Our state does not recognize my ece training since the paperwork for the university does not match that of the state's. I have decades of experience in the field as a teacher, administrator and mentor so any program should be ok. I just have...See More

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Elizabeth On 1/16/11, montmo wrote:

>> Do any of you have suggestions of programs I can consider? >> I have no idea which ones are legit. Thanks for any ideas!

Phoenix is not only expensive, but they make you take out loans to cover the cost of your education so that once you're finished you owe money to a lender, and lots of i...See More

Jan 23, 2011

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PRe- K Director Nova Southeastern University has an online program for ECE.

Feb 6, 2011

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Online Master's of Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure)

by Elizabeth

Jan 23, 2011

I'm working part-time in the ECE field at a home turned daycare and taking courses a semester at my local community college. I already have an Associate and Bachelor's degree in General Studies so the ECE and EDU courses are simply for professional development reasons and to help round out what I already have. I don't plan on formally applying for ...See More

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bamaprekpro On 1/23/11, Elizabeth wrote: > I'm working part-time in the ECE field at a home turned > daycare and taking courses a semester at my local community > college. I already have an Associate and Bachelor's degree > in General Studies so the ECE and EDU courses are simply > for professional development reasons and to help round out > ...See More

Jan 26, 2011

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Elizabeth On 1/26/11, bamaprekpro wrote: >> > Unless someone has given you alot of money, I would not > recommend you go for any of these online degrees. The only > one I have heard that might be useful is the Montessori > Method online degree. Please don't put yourself at risk by > taking out a giant student loan and then having to pay ...See MoreOn 1/26/11, bamaprekpro wrote: >> > Unless someone has given you alot of money, I would not > recommend you go for any of these online degrees. The only > one I have heard that might be useful is the Montessori > Method online degree. Please don't put yourself at risk by > taking out a giant student loan and then having to pay it all > back. Student loan debt can possibly ruin your life since > you can never ever get away from the debt. A bad credit > score could cause you so many problems. Why don't you just > go ahead and take the junior college courses to earn your > CDA? I believe that you simply take the 16 technical classes > in ECE plus a few academic classes? Your CDA will take you a > long way in the field of early childhood education. You could > work for Head Start or Early Head Start. Good luck!

Montessori teacher programs are VERY expensive, especially AMI certification programs. (A good Montessori teacher training program will run anywhere from $7,000 to $12,000.) Not quite sure how I'd really pay for it aside from taking out loans. There is financial assistance available in the form of scholarships from both the AMS and AMI, however, competition for these scholarships is quite competative. Besides, I've tried working in Montessori and found out that Montessori wasn't for me. Even if that wasn't the case, as much as I'd be paying for Montessori would be better spent, IMHO, on a traditional degree.

As for a CDA, I don't need that. Having my Associate's and Bachelor's degrees PLUS 25+ credit hours in ECE, EDU, and education-related courses means I've already met my CDA requirements. An Associate's degree is a step up from CDA and a Bachelor's degree is a couple of steps up from a CDA. Given that, I don't need a CDA.

My next step at this point is a non-licensure Master's degree in ECE and by acquiring one through a state university means it'll be cheap enough for me to obtain WITHOUT having to take any loans out. Thankfully, a lot of places like Mizzou, UND, Toldeo University, and Portland University are cheap enough at the in- state tuition rate that I'll be able to take something online and be able to afford it largely out of pocket, if not entirely.

Jan 27, 2011

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Child care workers - under paid

by Leah

Jan 23, 2011

Why is it that we do not value caring for our youngest children as much as someone teaching them when they are older? These first years of a child's life are SOOOO important to their future learning and development.

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