Early Childhood Education Degrees in Nebraska
Education is one of the highest priorities in the Midwest, making Nebraska an excellent place to get established in the teaching field. Legislators work hard to maintain funding for schools and give teachers the support they need to create student-friendly classrooms.
If you work well with children, teaching is one of the most meaningful ways you can make a difference in your community. By working in the field of early education, you can help children from all walks of life get a solid start.
Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Nebraska
Children remember good, reliable teachers for their entire lives. Are you ready to have that kind of impact on children’s lives?
If you are, discover how you can earn an early childhood education degree by contacting Nebraska schools below.
You can understand the importance of early education in Nebraska by looking at the state’s teaching community. While middle and high school teachers are crucial to adolescents’ development, preschool and kindergarten teachers lay a foundation for the rest of their students’ lives.
You may become an active part of this community while earning your degree. Look into joining the Nebraska Early Development Network to take advantage of the resources they have for new and experienced teachers.
As you learn how to become an early childhood teacher, you can see what kind of an effect teachers have in local classrooms.
Explore local degree options by getting in touch with Nebraska schools on our site.
Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Nebraska
Education is a fast-growing field with shortages throughout the country, which is why many colleges and universities offer education degree programs. You may get the training you need at a private school or public college, as long as you choose an accredited program that meets the classroom training requirements of Nebraska.
Unless you already have a Bachelor’s degree in education or human development, you may need to begin with an undergraduate teaching degree. If you have already completed an undergraduate program, you may earn a Master’s in education in approximately two years.
As an undergraduate student, you may spend four years completing the 120 credits needed for graduation.
Early Childhood Education Nebraska Courses
- Human Development and the Family
- Child and Family Policy
- Development of the Preschool Child
- Curriculum Planning in Early Childhood Education
- Social and Emotional Development
- Assessment in Early Childhood
- Behavior Management
- Methods of Working with Infants
As you can see from the sample curriculum, this degree spans a wide age range. By the time you graduate, you should be able to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young elementary school students.
Your teaching license may allow you to work with students through third grade. Since this age range is so wide, it’s particularly important to get plenty of experience. Throughout your training, you should spend time with students in every part of the listed age range. This leads to your student teaching semester, during which you maintain full-time teaching hours and take on full teaching responsibilities.
The state of Nebraska provides financial support to students through grants and scholarships. One of the main programs in this state is the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nebraska Scholarship. It covers a portion of tuition, books, and living expenses.
Teacher certification goes through the Nebraska Office of Early Childhood. You must pass the appropriate Praxis II exam, provide proof of your education, and pass a background check to get your license.
If you’re excited about the field of early childhood education, Nebraska institutions are here to help.
Request information from the programs below to compare your options.
Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Nebraska
As a new teacher, you may benefit from the stable teaching field in Nebraska. Between the years of 2014 and 2024, O*Net anticipates a 13% increase in job openings for preschool teachers (2016). During this time period, they expect job openings for elementary school teachers to increase 7% (O*Net, 2016).
Salaries in Nebraska vary between school districts and grade levels. On average, preschool teachers earn $33,910 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). The average income for an elementary school teacher is $50,710 (BLS, 2016).
When you start working, you become an advocate for children and for the field of early education. You may help this field grow by becoming involved in First Five Nebraska, a nonprofit organization that emphasizes the importance of education for children aged birth through five years.
You’re ready to become a teacher, so what’s the next step?