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Early Childhood Education Degrees in Florida

Many community building and public development efforts are focused on the field of education. While there are many opportunities for adults in need, investing in education is one of the quickest ways to change the future of society and ensure that positive growth is on the horizon.

In particular, early education helps children from disadvantaged backgrounds change the trajectory of their future.

If you have ever considered a career in the field of early childhood education, Florida may be the place to get started.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Florida

Are you ready to make a difference as a teacher?

Learn more about your options now by contacting early childhood education programs.

A quick look at recent legislation and funding efforts shows that public education is a significant priority for Florida. The Florida Office of Early Learning aims to give children from impoverished backgrounds the chance to get a solid start in school and in life.

The Early Learning Performance Funding Project recently increased funding throughout Florida, particularly in Bay County (News Herald, 2016). With this money, officials hope to make preschool and four-year-old kindergarten more easily accessible to Florida students. For this reason, Bay County was given $230,000 in stipends for early education.

A career in education can put you in a position to change children’s lives in major ways. Take the first step now and contact local schools to find out how you can earn an early childhood education degree.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Florida

Unless you already have a Bachelor’s degree in childhood development or a similar field, a Bachelor’s degree is likely the quickest way for you to get started in early education.

To complete a Bachelor’s degree in Florida, you need to earn at least 120 credits. Many of these credits come from education coursework, but you should also build a strong foundation of general knowledge in a variety of subjects.

While studying education theory and application, you should get the chance to apply your knowledge in early childhood classrooms in your area. You may get experience in kindergarten, preschool, four-year-old kindergarten, and other early learning settings. The more education you get as a student, the more you may be ready to work independently in your own classroom after graduation.

Early childhood is a time of major change in a child’s development, which is why you need to know all about development and learning styles by the time you graduate.

The following courses may give you the foundation you need to get started.

Commonly Offered Courses in Florida

  • Social Foundations of Early Education
  • Language Acquisition
  • Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
  • Social Competence in Early Childhood
  • Measurement and Evaluation in Early Childhood
  • Early Childhood Curriculum and Management
  • Early Childhood Language Arts
  • Educational Technology
  • Social Competence in Early Education

Each program has learning outcomes and goals that you are expected to meet by the time you graduate. These learning goals may include specific areas of competence, the ability to communicate with parents and other educators, and the ability to apply your knowledge of childhood development to children at different ages and levels of development.

To complete your degree, you need to complete a semester-long student teaching experience. In your assigned classroom, you can take on full teaching responsibilities under the supervision of a licensed teacher. You may get specific feedback on how to improve your teaching and better reach your students.

By spending an entire semester in one classroom instead of traveling to different practicum sites, you can really bond with students and explore the demands of maintaining a classroom for an entire year.

Consider applying for scholarships to offset some of your educational expenses. Through T.E.A.C.H. FL, you may apply to the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship Program.

Are you ready to find out how you can positively impact Florida education?

Learn more now by getting in touch with teacher education programs in your area.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Florida

After graduating from one of several early childhood education programs, Florida students must apply for licensure before working independently. This process goes through the Florida Department of Education. You must pass the mandated Florida Teacher Certification Examination before you earn your license.

Florida’s need for teachers is growing, thanks to the increasing amount of young families in the area. By 2024, job openings for preschool teachers may increase 13% (O*Net, 2016). Job openings for elementary school teachers may see a 14% boost (O*Net, 2016).

The average salary for a preschool teacher is $27,090 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Elementary school teachers claim an average annual salary of $47,630 (BLS, 2016).

Get involved in local teaching organizations to take advantage of local resources. The Florida Association for the Education of Young Children is dedicated exclusively to early childhood education, so teachers may explore changing requirements, new resources, and current research.

As an early education teacher, you can improve the quality of life of young students.

Find the right program for you by contacting local teaching programs today.