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Early Childhood Education Degrees in Alaska

The foundation of a child’s education begins before they are old enough to know what school is. The interventions, evidence, and techniques of early childhood education aim to create a solid base of self-confidence and academic performance by the time a child begins attending all-day school.

If you focus on this stage of education as a teaching professional, you have the great honor and responsibility of ensuring that kids get a fair start in life.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Alaska

There’s no doubt that early education is one of the most crucial aspects of a strong public education system.

Find out how you can pursue certification in this field by contacting early childhood education programs in Alaska.

Research across the country has highlighted the importance of early education. Alaska is one state that may see huge benefits from investing in early education. As a result, the state created the Alaska Early Childhood Coordinating Counsel, which aims to improve health outcomes, improve school readiness rates, and encourage positive development in children.

This group advocates for resources at the prenatal level through age eight. They bring together service providers, teachers, parents, and community members to provide children with a solid start to their educational career.

Are you ready to pursue an early childhood education degree and improve outcomes in Alaska as an early childhood teacher?

Take the first step now by contacting teacher training programs below.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Alaska

As you start to consider your degree options, remember that the goal of an education degree is licensure. You must attend a state-approved school to be able to apply for a teaching license.

At the early childhood education level, this means earning a Bachelor’s degree. In four years, you may meet your general education requirements, complete core teaching classes, and learn about the specific learning and developmental needs of young children.

Alaska has a sizable native population, which means that all teachers must display cultural competence and awareness in their day-to-day teaching roles. For that reason, much of your coursework may focus on the challenges faced by native Alaskan students and the specific educational needs in your area. It’s also relevant to note that native educators can make a significant impact in communities by becoming teachers and early childhood educators in the area.

Course Options in Early Childhood Education

  • Child and Adolescent Development
  • Special Children from Birth Through Five
  • Inclusive Classrooms for All Children
  • Issues in Alaska Native Education
  • Creativity and Arts in Early Childhood
  • Integrated Curriculum for Young Children
  • Guiding Young Children
  • Family and Community Partnerships
  • Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood
  • Literacy for Young Children
  • Foundations of Literacy and Language Development
  • Health and Physical Activity in Early Childhood

Clearly, by the time you graduate you should have a thorough knowledge of teaching theory, law, standards, and research. However, you should also have a thorough body of teaching experience that equips you with the skills you need to work independently in Alaska schools.

Starting with your first semester as a teaching student, you may be assigned to numerous educational facilities throughout your degree. These facilities range from preschool centers to third-grade classrooms, spanning the full range of early childhood education.

Your final semester of education focuses on student teaching, an experience in which you spend an entire semester in one classroom and prove your ability to run a classroom.

Early childhood education is one of the biggest priorities in the country, which is why many scholarship programs focus on making postsecondary education more affordable for those who want to teach in this specialty. The Anchorage Association for the Education of Young Children awards several grants each year, including the Ms. Lare Early Childhood Education Scholarship.

The work you put in as a teaching student can profoundly impact the lives of students for decades to come.

Discover how you can start preparing for your new career by contacting Alaska early childhood education schools today.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Alaska

After earning a Bachelor’s degree, you must begin the process of applying for teaching certification. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development allows graduates to apply for an initial two-year license or an initial three-year license.

To secure a three-year license, you must complete at least three credits of training in Alaska educational issues. You receive your initial license after passing all required licensing exams.

As a new teacher, you should focus on building a strong professional network and learning from those who have years of experience in this field. You may want to join a group like the Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children, particularly if you work in a remote area and do not have access to a metropolitan teaching organization.

The field of education is currently stable in Alaska. By 2024, O*Net expects demand for preschool teachers to increase 6% and demand for elementary school teachers to increase 5% (2016).

The average salary for a preschool teacher in Alaska is $39,280 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Elementary school teachers claim an average annual salary of $73,220 (BLS, 2016).

Use your passion for teaching to earn an early childhood education degree and help Alaska students succeed.

Get more information now by reaching out to the schools listed below.