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Preschool Teacher

Occupation Information table
Overview: Preschool teachers instruct young children in activities designed to promote social, physical and intellectual growth. They plan activities to stimulate learning according to the ages of the children. They work in day care or child development centers. May be required to hold State certification.
Duties: They design and teach curriculum and activities for young children enrolled in a child development center. They customize these programs to accommodate the age groups of the enrolled children.

They observe and evaluate individual children in terms of their learning abilities, social and physical behaviors. They confer with counseling staff regarding problems of individual students.

They meet with parents to review individual student's level of mastery of the skills taught as well as social and physical behaviors. They advise parents of deficiencies.

They plan and conduct educational field trips to compliment the curriculum. May include nature walks, museum visits, music and dance performances. Pursue parental involvement in activities.
Degree(s): A.S. Theatre: Concentrations in Acting or Technical Theatre 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 5% to 8% percent from 2018 to 2028, which matches the average growth rate for all occupations.
Salary Range (National Average): $24,000 to $28,000
Growth: Growth
Education Level: Training for this occupation generally requires an Associate Degree from a 2 year or community college.
Additional Training/Education: Preschool facilities oten require their preschool teachers to have an associate degree in child development or early childhood education. Certification is required by the Child Development Association. Some employers, such as the Montessori School require their preschool teachers to have a bachelor's degree plus an additional year of training. Supervisory positions generally require a bachelor's degree.
Recommended Skills:
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Being aware of the reactions of others, and understanding why they react the way they do.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Teaching others how to do something.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Doing something to contribute to the betterment of the world. Doing something for the greater good.
  • Being involved in helping other people in a direct way either individually or in a small group.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.