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Early Childhood Education Degrees in Colorado

There’s no doubt that the field of education has seen major overhauls in the last decade, gradually transitioning from single-teacher classrooms to specialized teachers for various topics and subjects. This evidence-based approach to teaching has led to a growing demand for early childhood education teachers.

With an early childhood education degree, you can develop expert-level knowledge of the development of young children, a factor that helps children more easily reach their learning goals.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Colorado

Could an early childhood education degree help you start a career that you look forward to every day?

Find out if you are a good fit for this field by contacting Colorado schools today.

There are lots of benefits to starting your education in Colorado. First off, the people of Colorado understand how important early childhood education truly is. A recent study found that over 80% of Colorado residents believe that it should be a priority to improve access to high-quality early childhood education (Chalk Beat, 2016).

Another study shows that Colorado spends significantly less on kindergarten programs than it does on education programs for other grades. This finding may lead to an uptick in spending, which may improve the job outlook for kindergarten teachers throughout the state (Chalk Beat, 2016).

A career in early education could give you the chance to enjoy fulfilling work while making a difference in Colorado.

Get more information on local training options by reaching out to early childhood education Colorado programs.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Colorado

To become an independent early education teacher in Colorado, you must have a full teaching license. This starts with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

However, you don’t jump directly into your teaching courses. In fact, the admissions process is fairly rigorous at Colorado schools, and you must prove yourself before you can start working toward a teaching degree.

After completing a set amount of general education classes, you can apply for acceptance to your school’s teaching program. If you are accepted, you can start taking core teaching classes and getting important classroom experience.

The courses listed below are similar to what you may find in programs across Colorado.

Commonly Offered Courses

  • Professional Skills Development
  • Infant and Child Development
  • Creative Experiences for Children
  • Cognitive and Language Development
  • Socioemotional Development in Childhood
  • Early Childhood Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Administration of Early Childhood Programs
  • Educational Technology and Assessment
  • Diagnostic Teaching of Reading

As noted, practical experience plays a huge role in your success as a teaching student. Many schools give you the opportunity to start gaining experience right away, since it takes time to get comfortable working with kids and learn how to apply your knowledge to real classroom situations.

After completing rotations at various Colorado schools, you may be ready for student teaching, the final test of your growth as a teaching professional. By spending over 40 hours per week in the classroom and taking on full teaching responsibilities, you can get valuable feedback that helps you grow as a teacher and meet the challenges of today’s classrooms.

If you do well in a student teaching placement, you may learn about job openings for the following school year and get the chance to apply for openings before they go public.

Since early childhood education is a huge priority for schools across Colorado, many facilities and organizations offer grants and scholarships to make a teaching degree more affordable. Consider applying for scholarships through Qualistar Colorado, a group that advocates for early education.

After you have completed your degree, you can apply for your license through the Colorado Department Of Education. They require early childhood graduates to pass a series of PLACE tests before becoming licensed.

The sooner you start your training and begin working toward an early childhood education degree, the sooner you can start making a difference in local classrooms.

Get in touch with local schools today to find out which programs fit your needs.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Colorado

One of the most important parts of succeeding in education is having a strong support network. Look into joining the Early Childhood Education Association of Colorado or a group like it. Even as a student, you can get huge benefits from your membership.

Learning from teachers who have succeeded in this field may shorten your learning curve and give you techniques for classroom management and leadership.

Job growth rates in Colorado far exceed national averages, which is another benefit of starting the next stage of your career now. By 2024, demand for preschool teachers may swell 29% (O*Net, 2016). Job openings for elementary school teachers may increase 24% through the year 2024 (O*Net, 2016).

Salaries vary across school districts and experience levels. However, the average salary for a Colorado preschool teacher is $30,000 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Elementary school teachers claim an average salary of $50,330 per year (BLS, 2016).

You have everything you need to learn more about early childhood education and the opportunities in this field.

Discover how you can earn an early childhood education degree and find the school that’s right for you.

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