Early Childhood Education Degrees in Tennessee
The work you put into Tennessee education now can have effects that last for decades. Today’s students can become the future educators, politicians, social workers, and professionals of Tennessee.
Achievement gaps are a significant issue throughout the United States, and early childhood education is one of the most efficient ways to eliminate these gaps and ensure that all children have the chance to explore their potential. As an educator, you may be able to give students a great first impression of school.
Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Tennessee
Are you ready to find out how you can become an early childhood teacher? There are many Tennessee colleges and universities that can get you on the right path.
Contact early childhood education programs below to explore your options.
Research indicates that early education can even out gaps in performance caused by income disparities and socioeconomic status. The state of Tennessee funds these efforts through the Tennessee Early Intervention System. This government agency screens children for possible areas of academic difficulty at young ages and funds the services needed for improvement. For example, kids may qualify for preschool, speech therapy, food stamps, or medical care.
Take the first step to an exciting, challenging education career today.
Check out the list of early childhood education schools below and request information from programs that interest you.
Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Tennessee
The type of degree that suits you depends on how much experience and education you currently have. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, particularly in childhood development or a related field, you may be able to become a certified teacher fairly quickly.
Both alternative licensing programs and Master’s degree programs can help you get your license in less than two years.
If you have an Associate’s degree or no postsecondary education, you should explore Bachelor’s-level programs. As a Bachelor’s student, you must earn 120 credits over a period of eight semesters.
Prior to applying to a teaching program, you get accepted to a college or university. You must then earn enough college credits and maintain a high enough GPA to become a teaching student. You can then spend the rest of your time in school taking required and elective teaching courses.
Early Childhood Ed Teacher Courses in Tennessee
- Assessing Young Children
- Literacy in Early Childhood
- Family Relations
- Characteristics and Teaching of Diverse Learners
- Art Education for Teachers
- Music for the Young Child
- Childhood Development
- Effective Instruction for Ages Birth-5
- Digital Learning in the Elementary Classroom
Theory education is just one part of your teacher training. The other side of the coin is hands-on experience. Many schools get you into a local classroom in your very first semester.
In your early semesters, you may spend most of your time observing teachers and getting comfortable with students. As you move through your education, you may take on more duties and improve your ability to manage a classroom. This is crucial to your overall success, since you have to do a semester of student teaching at the end of your degree.
Once your degree is behind you, the next step is licensure. You submit your application and transcripts to the Tennessee Department of Education. They tell you which licensing exams you need to take. Once you pass these exams, you can become a licensed educator.
Don’t wait any longer to make difference as a teacher!
Browse the list of Tennessee teacher training programs below to get in touch with schools that catch your eye.
Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Tennessee
In coming years, Tennessee’s need for teachers may continue to grow, making this the ideal time to devote some time to your education and become an early childhood educator.
Preschool teachers may see a 4% increase in job openings by the year 2024 (O*Net, 2016). Job openings for elementary teachers may jump 15% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2016).
On average, Tennessee preschool teachers earn $30,420 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). For elementary school teachers, the average salary is $49,470 annually (BLS, 2016).
While a lot of your learning occurs on-the-job, don’t forget to use other resources to become a more confident teacher. Through the Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children, you can attend training events, learn about legislative changes, and get advice from expert teachers.
Curious about how and when you can start earning an early childhood education degree?
Request information from local schools on the list below.
