Your Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Early Childhood Educator

If you’ve always had a knack with kids and have wondered how to channel that love for children into a rewarding and successful career, then pursuing a degree in early childhood education (ECE) is definitely worth considering.

When deciding if a career in early education is the right choice for you, the most important question to ask yourself first is: Do I enjoy working with children? If you struggle to answer yes, then it’s best to start researching other career options now, because it takes a special kind of person to be able to work with young kids everyday.

Teaching is hard work and not everyone is cut out for it. However, if you have the drive, passion, and desire, almost anyone can become great at teaching if they’re highly motivated to learn and put in the extra work. 

What Makes a Great Teacher? 

While it might be true that certain attributes help make some people more naturally suited for an ECE career than others, and considering what makes a great teacher, it’s important to understand that great teachers don’t become great overnight.  

Great teachers have patience and compassion and show kindness and respect to those around them all the time. They are friendly and approachable and demonstrate a calm and enthusiastic demeanor around their students, parents, and co-workers. Great teachers are also creative, organized, and adaptive. They know how to think outside of their own mature, adult perspective and place themselves in their student’s shoes. They go above and beyond in learning what motivates a young child to want to learn and how to best capture their attention. They know how to make learning a fun and enjoyable experience by preparing and creating hands-on lessons that involve arts and crafts, storytelling, music, exercise, educational games, and more. 

Most of all, great teachers have dedication and never give up, even when things get challenging. They aren’t perfect, but rather are passionate about sticking to their ultimate goal which is to lay a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning in their young students. 

How to Become a Teacher? 

If you’re wondering how to become a teacher, the first step is to enroll in an accredited early childhood education program and earn your degree. Programs vary depending on the school, so it’s important to do careful and thorough research to ensure that you’re choosing the best program to fit your needs. After completion of the program, some schools may require an internship where students will typically observe a teacher in a classroom setting and teach a few lessons under a mentor’s guidance. As the internship progresses, students may be asked to create some of their own lesson plans and curriculum to be used in the classroom, under the supervision of a teaching professional. 

Upon completion of all of the required steps in your early childhood education program, and officially obtaining your degree in early childhood education, it’s time to begin applying for open ECE positions. Don’t forget to create a professional resume and cover letter, as well as updating any online job searching sites and social platforms. 

Ready to Take the Next Step? 

A degree in early childhood education opens doors to a variety of exciting and fulfilling job opportunities. If you’re interested in making a difference in education and in the lives of children, contact Athena Career Academy for guidance on how to get started on your own educational journey towards a career that will mean so much more than just a paycheck.