Home Careers in Education Early Childhood Educator Idaho

Early Childhood Education Degrees in Idaho

It takes a lot of dedication, passion, and hard work to devote your career to education. However, if teaching is truly your calling, you can leave a legacy that lasts for decades.

One of the fastest growing areas of education in Idaho is early childhood education, an age group that includes infants through third graders. By studying this age group and developing a solid set of teaching strategies that match their development levels, you can help young children reach their full potential.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Idaho

Are you ready to earn an early childhood education degree and start teaching in Idaho schools?

If the answer is yes, start planning for your future now by contacting teaching programs near you.

As an aspiring teacher, you can become part of the teaching community of Idaho. Several groups advocate for early education and teaching professionals.

You may benefit from membership in a group like the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. This group understands that successful early education programs require the cooperation of teachers, parents, community members, and students.

This may be one of the best times to get involved in the field of early education in Idaho. A recent study found that children who attend preschool are ahead of their peers in terms of reading readiness (Idaho Statesman, 2016). This study was conducted in Boise, Idaho.

When you become an early childhood teacher, you give children the chance to learn more, build strong social skills, and thrive academically.

Take the first step to a teaching license and get in touch with Idaho schools today.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Idaho

The path to an early education career begins in a classroom. Not your students’ classroom, but rather, your own.

Many Idaho colleges and universities offer undergraduate teacher training programs that allow students to become licensed in approximately five years. This path leads to a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. This option requires you to earn at least 120 credits.

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you may consider pursuing a Master’s degree in education. However, since the field of early education relies so much on childhood development and psychology, this may not be an option unless you have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study.

Your program’s curriculum should work closely with your school’s learning goals to help you become a teaching professional who is well-versed in practical teaching techniques, theory, research, and state standards.

As a student, you may take the courses listed below or courses similar to them.

Common Course Options in Idaho

  • Foundations of Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Environments
  • Early Childhood Curriculum Development
  • Working with Families and Communities
  • Interventions in Early Childhood Education
  • Teaching Literacy in Early Education
  • Science in Early Childhood Education
  • Teaching Mathematics in Early Education Settings

However, theory isn’t enough to build a teaching career. Only by practically applying teaching theories and ideas can you become a teacher.

Each school has its own schedule of practical experience requirements, but you may start your classroom rotations fairly early. Since this stage of education covers approximately eight years of life, you need quite a bit of diverse experience to be ready for any jobs that your license allows you to hold.

Throughout your degree, think about where you would like to complete your student teaching semester. You spend an entire semester in your student teaching placement, so it is wise to choose a grade level that is relevant to your career goals.

Students in early childhood education schools may qualify for various state and federal financial aid programs. The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children runs the IdahoSTARS program, which financially supports aspiring teachers.

If you know that a career in teaching is the right choice for you, don’t wait any longer.

 Contact teaching programs near you to learn more about program options, start dates, and degree paths.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Idaho

Although your degree is the most time-consuming part of becoming a teacher, you still have a bit more to do before you begin working. You must apply for licensure through the Idaho State Department of Education and pass all mandatory Praxis II exams.

Across various grade levels, the demand for teachers is extremely high in Idaho. Demand for preschool teachers may swell 26% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2016). During this timeframe, job openings for elementary school teachers may increase 16% (O*Net, 2016).

Preschool teachers report an average annual salary of $23,890, while elementary school teachers currently earn an average of $47,260 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).

Since the job outlook is so strong in Idaho, you may secure a position before you graduate. If not, you should still have a good idea of which work settings best fit your goals and career plans. In addition to public elementary schools and preschools, you can look into private schools, daycare centers, and kindergarten centers.

Planning ahead can help you get the early childhood education courses and practical experiences you need to become Idaho’s next great teacher.

Request information from schools near you to explore your options.