AboutPam Koons Expertise Early Childhood Education For Prospective, New and Existing Teachers, and also Pre-School Owners/Directors. I can offer Teaching advice and also School Business advice. I owned a private Pre-school that I started over 22 years ago. I have degrees in Early Childhood Education, Business Management and Children's Theater. Can answer a variety of questions on anything having to do with Early Childhood Education, both teaching and business aspects.
Currently I am an Editor and Regional Correspondent for Seattle PreschoolRock.com, an on-line network of over 32 websites dedicated solely to parents and teachers of preschoolers. Please see me at: http://Seattle.PreschoolRock.com/ and www.preschoolmentor.com and www.myspace.com/thebusinessofeducation
Experience Success in many areas. President of the local Chamber of Commerce. My school was voted #1 best private Pre-School in my county. 26 newspaper articles were written about my school and a half page news article about myself. Published Author in a Children's Anthology now on Amazon. Guest lecturer at the local College.
Expert: Pam Koons Date: 12/12/2007 Subject: Classes to take to become an early childhood teacher
Question Hi Pam,
I am a senior in high school getting ready to graduate in July of 2008. I was just wondering in college what classes should I take to become an early childhood teacher. Do I have to get like a degree or anything of that type? I do not know much about it right now but I would like to get to know more.
Answer Hello Alyson,
You have chosen an exciting field. All ECE schools are different, and each one will require different experience and schooling, so it has always been a bit confusing! If you want to teach in a day care, it is highly likely they will want some hands-on experience rather than formal training. If you want to teach in a private preschool, it is likely they will want at least a 2 year community college ECE degree and hands-on experience. If you want to teach in a public program, they will want at least a Master's degree. So you can see the variances.
At my school I always required at least a 2 year ECE degree, which more and more community colleges are offering now. You can get hands-on experience by volunteering at your local preschool.
Call a Jr. College to see if they offer an ECE program in your area- most 4 year schools do, too. Good luck with everything and much success to you!
