How Do I Go to Becoming a Preschool Teacher with a Degree in Business

when I was just out of high school I decided to be a preschool teacher. All I had to do was get my 12 ECE units (got it done in less than a year going part time at the community college). That's it! Super easy and quick. I taught preschool for 5 years up until my daughter was born. I'm now living in VA (was in CA before) and they do seem a little more strict here. I'm working at a montessori school as an aide and if I wanted to be a montessori teacher, then I would have to go through montessori training and I just don't have time now with 2 kids.
Just call some schools around and see what they require to be a teacher. Some do not require any units and you only need to be CPR and first aide trained.

more $$ with degree.

I have a handful of Early Education hours, but live in a small town where only the directors require a degree. A few of the teachers have them, but pull not much more salary than the non-degree teachers. Since you're Chicago, definitely look into an Early Education degree.

That said, also research your job potentials. Not many small preschools offer benefits. Corporate-run or school districts are your best bet. :)

I worked as a preschool aide in Skokie when I was in college, pursuing Accounting, and then I changed to History and Secondary Ed. My qualifications at that point were simply 30 hrs of college course work, 6 of which had to be in early childhood development or certain sociology or psychology courses. I fulfilled the requirements by taking summer television/online courses offered by the City Colleges of Chicago.

I would highly recommend working as an aide for a while before you pursue an actual degree in early childhood educaiton. The pay for most ECE teachers in our area isn't that great, so the education might not be worth the investment. I thought I wanted to be a preschool teacher until I actually worked for a few years in a preschool. It wasn't for me. Not even as an aide.

You can go to a community college which offers a two-year associates degree in early childhood education.

I never got my degree-- kind of fell into the job in 1991 on accident, and just loved it. Get your associates, though. The preschools which pay the best (unless you run your own program) usually like you to have that piece of paper.

From what I know to become a preschool 'teacher' you need about six hours in early childhood.(I see Queen of the Castle said that, too) You have a degree, so if you want to work in a daycare, or as an assistant, you won't make lots of money but you can do that. I have actually been working in 'education' for many years but have a Paralegal certificate, an Improv certificate and a Bachelors/Communications degree. Those don't add up in this world of 'educational' certifications, but with a college degree you can work as a substitute and with hours in psychology or early childhood you can be a preschool teacher or only accept preschool or early elementary calls. Call the Board of Education and they will give you specifics. Good luck!!

My friend did her masters in teaching I belive. I don;t remember what school she went to.

I know Rosevelt has a program.
Depal
Maybe UIC?

Call them and see what they require. It might depend on how long ago you got you Bach.. :)

Congratulations! Good Luck

You need to go to the schools you are interested in and talk to the admissions people about who in their school can help you figure this out. Don't try to figure it out on your own. Each school may have a different system with it.

Dawn

You will have to contact the agency in your state that certifies teachers. They will be able to look at your transcript and tell you exactly what classes you'll have to take to qualify to teach.

My FIL has a BA in Special Ed and a Master's in Education, or vice versa, and he can't teach in Oklahoma, both degrees came from Oklahoma too. He cannot be hire as a regular full time teacher because he didn't take 1 or 2 required undergrad classes. Not a big deal to most but if he wanted to teach they should have made sure those classes were printed on the curriculum.

Now he taught in Kentucky (this is where he was teaching when he retired) and Washington DC at elementary levels. When he retired and moved to Oklahoma he went to the local school to apply for work as a permanent substitute and they denied him employment.

I think that no matter what an undergrad advisory tells you the horses mouth is where I would go. To the agency that certifies teachers to be employed in that state. They will know the bottom line.

since you already have a degree... try subbing or working in your littl' one's preschool.. and then if it's something you would like to pursue, then work on a cert/degree program as needed.
I read a recent article here about a one-night a week evening program at NW college (Elem ed+). maybe they have a similar option in your area.
I have a HR degree and have been subbing in our district and it works well with my kids schedule.
~best, MK

I teach at a local technical college that has an Early Childhood department. Taking classes or going through this program can get you a few different options - a 2 year associate's degree in EC, or various certificates that will allow you to work in a day care or preschool setting.

I think it really depends on the specific center/school you want to work for. All will have different requirements for their teachers. You can look into a local community/technical college, or online schools offer programs as well. Where I teach (NWTC - Northeast Wisconsin Technical College) offers many online classes! www.nwtc.edu if you just want to peek at the different types of classes/certificates they offer.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

You just need a certificate...I have a degree in Chemistry and that's all I need.