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Early Childhood Education Degrees in New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in the entire country, and in particular, its population of young and growing families has increased considerably in recent years.

This means that education is an issue that is extremely important to New Jersey residents. By offering high-quality education to New Jersey students of all ages, educators can improve the future of this state and give children a running start at a bright future.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in New Jersey

How can you revolutionize education, change children’s lives, and give back to society? It all starts with a degree in early childhood education. New Jersey has plenty of schools with this degree option.

Compare them below and request information to learn more.

In any field, networking and training are essential to your success. In early education, this is especially true. Education changes constantly, and staying abreast of new developments can help you make the most of the hours you spend in the classroom.

As a member of the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children, you may learn from experienced teachers, attend training events, and get legislative updates. Maintaining a presence in local organizations can help you get information on job openings and advancement opportunities.

You can explore a career in early education at many New Jersey colleges and universities.

Get more detailed information on how to become an early childhood teacher by contacting New Jersey schools.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in New Jersey

You have to go through a number of steps to start your teacher education in New Jersey. You may get started as an undergraduate student at an accredited college or university.

Most schools require that you get at least 30 credits before applying to the teaching program. During this time, you must also maintain a high GPA. When you apply to the teaching program, you take the Praxis I general exam to demonstrate your overall knowledge.

Upon starting your program, you work through a rigorous curriculum of teaching courses, including classes similar to those listed below. Depending on the school you attend, you may be able to complete some of your courses online.

Early Childhood Education New Jersey Courses

  • Problem Solving in Math
  • Diversity and Difference
  • Development: Birth to Adolescence
  • Young Children’s Development, Behavior, and Learning
  • Professional Dispositions in Early Childhood Education
  • Emerging Literacy at Home and at School
  • Early Primary Curriculum
  • Early Childhood Math and Science Technology
  • Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum

Theory, pedagogy, and research are all crucial to your teaching degree. To be an effective teacher, though, you have to apply this knowledge to real-life classroom situations.

Throughout your early childhood education degree, you complete rotations at local preschools, daycares, kindergarten classrooms, and early elementary school classrooms. The references you get from your supervising teachers may help you enhance your skills and tweak your techniques to fit students’ needs.

The final test of your education comes in your student teaching semester. You stay in the same classroom for the entire semester and gradually work up to full teaching duties.

Your degree helps you meet the licensure requirements of the New Jersey Division of Early Childhood Education. This agency verifies your educational credentials, checks your Praxis II scores, and runs a background check before giving you a full teaching license.

This is an excellent time to discover what career options await you in the field of education.

Reach out to early childhood education schools to begin your journey.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in New Jersey

As a new teacher, you have a lot to learn in the areas of classroom management, time management, and problem solving. The quicker you work through these early stages, the sooner you can settle into a teaching routine that suits you. In addition to specific early childhood organizations, join groups like the New Jersey Education Association to find out what works for other local teachers.

The job outlook in New Jersey is very similar to what is reported in other New England states. O*Net expects job openings for preschool teachers to increase 10% through the year 2024 (2016). Between 2014 and 2024, they anticipate a 2% increase in elementary school teaching jobs (O*Net, 2016).

The average annual salary for a NJ preschool teacher is $40,730 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). For elementary school teachers in NJ, this rises to $68,100 annually (BLS, 2016).

Jump into a fulfilling and exciting teaching career with an early childhood education degree.

Get in touch with New Jersey teaching schools to get started.