i don't know what you think. but actually, i like being an early childhood educator. i like to work with young children more than older ones. this is all up to you (what you think or like best)
It is one of the foundation BLOCKs for each child's life & future, along with the help and support of his/her parents or family. We are really the FIRST TEACHERS, even though some people don't think so. We can make them or break them. IT is not just a job for me. It is a way of life and I make a BIG difference in each child's life that comes my way, by being loving and making LEARNING fun, exciting, memorable, and all that good stuff. I treat all children the same. My role is to give them the BEST of everything, to the best of my ability & knowledge, and guide them in their learning process, so they will grow up and be future team players and GREAT leaders. I see it as, "What if this child was my own? What would I do?"(WWID) In my daily routine, I work with the thought that SOMEONE COULD BE WATCHING ME, so I make sure that, if that ever happened, I would be able to explain EVERYTHING I did and said. Teaching Pre-schoolers is not a job for just anyone. I've seen some people that just makes me want to ask, "What are you doing here? Get it together or GET OUT!" Anyway, to make a loooooooooooooooooong story short, My calling is with the little ones. I came home one day and hubby told me, "You act like a little kid!" My respond, "Duh! I work with them!":lol: It's all good, Rebel1
I agree....it's a huge wonderful job that makes a wonderful difference. What I would like, though is to change people's perceptions of what we do. I'm tired of hearing that I "play" with children all day, or "How stressful can your job really be?" comments. I would also like to overall increase the pay for early childhood teachers because I think we're woefully underpaid.
I'm so ECE...I've taught PreK, K, grade 3 (one year) and grade 2 (the longest stretch has been in grade 2- the upper cusp of ECE...) I LOVE it...I loved K- not PreK so much...love the emergent literacy, the 'gift of time'...
You are right Tracy. If Obama will stick to his word, then there is hope of HIGHER pay in this field. I think if you work in public schools with Pre K children, you do get paid a lot more. In the Private owned pre-schools, some try to get away with paying less BUT if they really want to KEEP GREAT teachers, then they need to put their MONEY where their MOUTH IS! They want PROFIT! The quality of the work that GREAT TEACHERS do will enhance their worth as a preschool. Parents will do the WORD OF MOUTH selling, (THE BEST WAY OF ADVERTISEMENT!), and they will increase their enrollment. It can all boil down to one thing, "Some people still think that we are just :huh:baby sitters!":crosseyed Rebel1
I wasn't a huge fan of teaching preschool (student teaching). I did do a long-term sub position in 4K and I really like it. I like kindergarten the best so far. I don't think I would want to go above 2nd grade.
I taught Head Start for 8 years and the only thing I didn't like was the pay. I found out through these forums that some other states pay Head Start teachers on the elementary teacher pay scale. Not here in California though.
When someone says early childhood I automatically think of preschool-- gotta get out of that mindset I guess!! I LOVE grades 1-4. They are my fave =) 2nd is my all time favorite grade. I did do preK 4s and 5s and though I loved the children, I do prefer a little bit older. Pay can be horrible =( I worked private preK and it was very low with no benefits.
I worked in an ECE center in an infant/toddler classroom-a LOT of work and not exactly what I expected although it was rewarding forming relationships with the individual children and nurturing their development, curiosity and initial knowledge of the world. The parents were also really wonderful and appreciative for the most part, but the pay was, unfortunately, horrible. My next job I hope will be in early Elementary (first-third). I have a deep respect and appreciation for ECE teachers.
A Future Speducator I am taking up Elementary Education major in Special Education which means that I'll be a future child educator and what do I feel about that? Nervous but excited. I am nervous because I think I am not yet ready to handle kids with exceptionalities yet I am so excited because I love children. I love the feeling of being surrounded by different kids. With just the thought of meeting a child makes me very happy and excited. I hope as i pursue my course, I could learn more about handling and teaching them according to their needs and condition. Are there any Special education students out there? I hope i can talk to you here. Angieina C.
