Discover Early Childhood - Alabama - Become an Early Childhood Teacher

Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Alabama

Pre-school which is also known as nursery school, is where children ages 3-4 years build their formative views of the world and people around them. It is during these early years that a child’s brain rapidly grows to process stimulation from their environment; therefore, they tend to absorb more information compared to their later years in life. As such, high quality pre-school teachers have a long-term beneficial effect in the growth and shape of a child’s learning career.

Alabama Steps to Follow for Teachers

Choosing the challenging but rewarding career path of being a teacher is a special life-long calling for some of the most passionate and devoted people. And teaching preschool is where it all starts. In 2000, the Alabama Pre-Kindergarten Pilot program began serving 4-year old children and in 2004 the state was recognized as belonging to the top 10 states of the country for its dedication in complying with highly qualified teacher requirements as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act enacted in 2001.

Step 1. Get Your Degree

You’ll need a few key things in order to lead your own pre-school or higher classroom. You need to be over 21 years old, have training in early childhood development (which should be provided by your state-approved teacher preparation program, and also have either a human environmental science degree, a special education degree, or an Early Childhood Education degree at any available level.

A bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education that is approved by Alabama’s Board of Education is absolutely required. Contact the education department at the Alabama college or university of your choice for admission requirements for Alabama Educator Preparation Programs. Be sure to check their accreditation as well, as you must attend a school with regional accreditation in order to receive your teachers license.

Your bachelor’s will likely include the necessary teacher certification program, which requires completion of both coursework and fieldwork components. The coursework component consists of essential knowledge and skills for teachers including detailed coverage of contemporary pedagogy which is the art and science of teaching. The fieldwork component involves classroom observation, teaching students, and/or internships related to pre-school education.

Step 2. Testing

Acquiring your teaching credential requires you to complete the necessary amount of undergraduate coursework, finish the accredited teaching certification program, and pass standardized tests. The tests required are the PRAXIS exams, which are national standardized tests for teacher certification. You’ll need to complete the section on Early Childhood Education (5204 & 5022) and the Principles of Learning and Teaching: K-6 (5622).

AECAP Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program handles the required tests for teachers in Alabama.

AECAP Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program consists of 4 areas:

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Praxis Subject Assessments (content knowledge)
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (pedagogical knowledge)
edTPA Educator Teacher Performance Assessment (pedagogical knowledge)

Individuals seeking teaching certification in Alabama must complete all the required tests issued by AECAP Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program as applicable. If you wish to reinstate your Alabama teaching certificate that has lapsed for less than 12 months, you may complete the current Praxis Subject Assessments (content knowledge). If successful, your teaching certificate will be reinstated.

Step 3. Background Checks

Once all testing is complete you will need to submit a request for background check and approval to work with children. This is done for the safety of students and to make sure you are an appropriate role-model and caregiver.

In preparation for your teaching employment you will be required to submit to the following checks:

Criminal Background Check
Child Abuse and Neglect Background Check

Fingerprinting through Gemalto Cogent Applicant Fingerprint Registration System

Step 4. Apply for Licensure

Alabama has 3 levels of teaching certification:

Class A

A Class A certificate is available for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution but did not complete the Alabama Educator Preparation Program. This certificate combines the Alabama Educator Preparation Program together with the completion of a Master’s Degree.

Class B

A Class B certificate is issued to new teachers who completed a Bachelor’s Degree and a Teacher Education Program in Alabama.

Class AA

A Class AA certificate is granted to individuals with both undergraduate and graduate degrees from regionally-accredited institutions. This applies to candidates who meet very specific degree, coursework, and GPA requirements.

Popular Career Choices

Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher

Accredited Alabama Programs

Brain growth in the first 3 years of a child’s life is the most crucial developmental stage as it sets the foundation for the rest of the child’s learning capabilities. That is the main reason why state and federal government agencies have placed a significant emphasis on early childhood education in the past decade. Alabama legislators are also making early childhood education a high priority in the state.

The field of early childhood education is extremely complex, which is why educational standards are quite strict. A Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education is a requirement before you start your career as a Preschool Teacher. At least 120 credits are required. Every school will determine its own required courses therefore some programs will have more than 120 credits. Teaching theories, instructional technology, educational psychology, and Alabama requirements for specific topics are the focal points of the required coursework.

Therefore, accreditation for schools offering courses concurrent to Teacher Education Programs are a specific educational standard for schools in the United States that acts as a form of quality control at the national and regional levels. A school being accredited means that they’ve received the stamp of approval that minimum standards for accreditation have been met.

The term “accrediting” means that the school underwent the process by which a recognized educational association grants public recognition to a school when it meets certain established qualifications and standards as a result of periodic evaluations being carried out.

Commonly Offered Early Childhood Education Courses

Some courses you might encounter while completing your degree include:

Psychology of Learning
Instructional Technology for Educators
Diverse Students in Inclusive Schools
Child Growth and Development
Foundations of Education
Measurement and Evaluation in Education
Family, Parent, and Community Involvement
Creative Learning in Early Childhood Education
How to Teach Language Arts
How to Teach Math and Science
How to Teach Social Studies

In most Alabama schools, you will have to complete a certain amount of general education credits before applying for a teacher education program.

Below are five schools that offer a Teacher Education Program

Alabama A & M University

Type: 4 years, Public

Campus setting: city, midsize

Campus housing: yes

Student population: 6,000

Student to faculty ratio: 10:1

Degrees Offered:

Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Post-grad Certificate in General Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments
Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Special Education and Teaching: General

Accreditation By: Regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission or Colleges. Programmatic accreditation for the education department comes from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers (NCATE).

Alabama State University

Type: 4 years, Public

Campus setting: city, midsize

Campus housing: Yes

Student population: 4,760

Student to faculty ratio: 15:1

Degrees Offered:

Master’s and Post-grad Certificate in School Counseling and Guidance Services
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Post-grad Certificate in General Education
Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Educational Leadership and Administration
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Special Education and Teaching: General
Master’s Degree in Teacher Education: Multiple Levels

Athens State University

Type: 4 years, Public

Campus setting: Town, Fringe

Campus housing: No

Student population: 3,114

Student to faculty ratio: 15:1

Degrees Offered:

Bachelor’s Degree in Kindergarten/Pre-school Education and Teaching
Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Teaching: General
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching

Jacksonville State University

Type: 4 years, Public

Campus setting: city, small

Campus housing: Yes

Student population: 8,567

Student to faculty ratio: 19:1

Degrees Offered:

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Special Education and Teaching: General
Master’s and Post-grad Certificate in School Counseling and Guidance Services
Master’s and Post-grad Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration
Master’s Degree in Reading Teacher Education

Troy University

Type: 4 years, Public

Campus setting: town, remote

Campus housing: Yes

Student population: 17,521

Student to faculty ratio: 14:1

Degrees Offered:

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Master’s and Post-grad Certificate in Education: General
Master’s and Post-grad Certificate in School Counseling and Guidance Services
Master’s and Post-grad Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Post-grad Certificate in Elementary Education and Teaching

Accreditation By: Regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission or Colleges. Programmatic accreditation for the education department comes from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

To make certification with the normal path, possible teachers need to make a bachelor's level that contains a state-approved trainer prep work program and likewise pass the state's evaluations for feasible educators. If you currently have a bachelor's level in an area outside of education and learning, find our guide to different teacher credentials in Alabama to figure out even more concerning your alternatives.

To contrast key metrics for these state-approved instructor preparation programs, utilize the sortable table on our Alabama colleges web page. Schools giving instructor preparation programs, particularly those situated beyond Alabama, have to remain in excellent standing with among the 6 local licensing bodies. Schools that do not hold accreditation from amongst these 6 firms will absolutely not accredit grads for Alabama teacher licensure.

Personal areas may have a lot more strenuous education needs than the state minimum of a secondary school diploma.: I wish to receive Alabama, nevertheless I do not have a bachelor's degree in education and learning and also discovering what do I do?: If you currently have a bachelor's level that did not include instructor preparation, the list below step towards teaching in Alabama is to end up an accepted trainer preparation work program.

Community-based programs are readily offered for young people in certain locations based upon neighborhood campaigning for as well as scholastic involvement from local organizations in addition to non-profits. These programs vary in extent from seasonal techniques similar to neighborhood programs, to full-time course timetables as well as tuition in the form of various other personal education and learning establishments. Educators will certainly enlighten students.

Becoming a teacher in Alabama is not only about the fun and the adventure; it's also about the job itself. There are plenty of jobs in the state and most of them can provide a satisfying work life. Teachers in Alabama have opportunities to learn about a variety of subjects and develop relationships with their students.

Being a teacher in Alabama also has many advantages over other states with less funding for public education. Alabama ranks above average when compared to other states on standardized testing. Alabama also scores above average on tests for reading, math and science. But the biggest barrier to expanding education in Alabama is immeasurably large, making a strong foundation for new teachers who want to modernize the way teaching is done in the state.

The most obvious difference between teaching in a classroom in the state of Alabama and in some other states is the amount of supervision required by the school board. This means having to oversee the teaching of every student in the class, ensuring that they are learning at a reasonable rate and staying on top of their own learning needs. In some districts, this task may be a little easier than in others because of the amount of teaching experience available. In other cases, teachers might need to have a bachelor's degree to qualify for the teaching position and the amount of time they would be able to dedicate towards the class. It's important for educators in Alabama to remember that many of these teachers have dedicated years to teaching and have worked side-by-side with children for years, so being a good teacher takes practice.

Another major difference in teaching jobs in Alabama and those in other areas of the country is the type of classroom they will be teaching. A teacher will usually be teaching in an elementary school, high school, middle school or even a private school classroom because the requirements for a teaching position will be much different than a classroom in a college.

When it comes to teaching in the classroom in Alabama, there are many challenges to the job such as children with varying levels of skill and ability to learn. Teachers might need to teach special-needs students as well, especially those in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. where children learn how to use reading and math skills.

Other issues include the district's budget and how the state will be providing funding. for various courses and subjects, which may be a major concern for the local school board during difficult economic times.

One of the biggest differences in teaching jobs in Alabama is that students are usually not given their choice of classes and often have a limited time to complete the course in the classroom. As the years go by, students may need to repeat classes or move on to more advanced classes if they're struggling. Because of this, the teacher's ability to teach students and develop meaningful relationships with them will be greatly tested.

If you're looking to become a teacher in Alabama, it's important to remember that there are many opportunities in the state. Many of these positions require a great deal of experience and a bachelor's degree. You could end up working in schools in Birmingham, Montgomery or Mobile, Alabama and find a position right away.

If you're willing to put in the time and effort to become a teacher in Alabama, you'll find that your pay and benefits will be significantly better than what you would find in a smaller school district, even if your job doesn't require the same level of education. The work is very demanding, so the best way to become a great teacher in Alabama is to get the education and certification necessary to qualify for one of these positions.

One of the best ways to get started in teaching in Alabama is by going back to your local county office of education and filling out an application for a teaching job. There are a number of openings available there, and you should be able to find the one that fits you and your qualifications best. In order to be accepted, you'll probably have to submit letters of recommendation from former students who can attest to your work ethic, personality, and enthusiasm for the subject matter. If you're also willing to work toward certification after you've graduated, you'll be eligible for the best pay and benefits.

With the help of a good career guide and education, you can get started on the road to becoming a teacher in Alabama. When you're looking for a job in Alabama, it's very important to keep in mind the challenges involved with being a teacher and make sure you are prepared for them. Once you're certified, you'll be able to give students a chance at a fulfilling career in teaching.

Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers

As soon as you acquire your teaching certification and all other requirements as mentioned in the steps above, you can then start applying for teaching jobs in the state of Alabama. The Office of School Readiness (OSR) is part of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (DECE). It is in charge of administering the state-funded pre-kindergarten program of Alabama.

The OSR provides first-class Pre-K classes in a variety of settings.

Public Schools –

The Alabama public school system operates within districts governed by school boards and superintendents who were elected locally. In 2013, there were 744,637 students enrolled in a total of 1,637 schools in 173 school districts. There were 51,877 teachers in public schools, approximately 1 teacher for every 14 students compared to the national average of 1:16.

Private Childcare or Daycare –

For the 2018-2019 school year, there were 329 top private daycares and preschools in Alabama, serving 70,705 students. The difference between pre-school and private childcare or daycare when it comes to early childhood education lies in the age groups. Private childcare or daycare caters to children ages 6 weeks to 2 years while pre-school accepts children starting at the age of 2.

Private Schools –

For the year 2018-2019 there were 469 top private schools in Alabama with 88,221 students.

Head Start Programs –

Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness for children from birth to age five coming from families with low income. The program serves to enhance children’s social, cognitive, and emotional development. The program emphasizes the role of parents as the child’s first teacher.

Children from birth until age 5 from families with low income are eligible to attend Head Start program as per Poverty Guidelines provided by Federal government.

Community-based programs –

Community-based programs are available for children in certain areas based on community activism and educational involvement from local businesses and non-profits. Most of these are offered on a seasonal basis, with summer programs meant to enhance and maintain learning for young children on long vacations from school.

Faith-based programs –

These programs vary in scope from seasonal approaches similar to community programs, to full-time class schedules and tuition in the form of other private schooling institutions. Teachers will teach students the usual subjects, while also maintaining respect for the faith the school is organized under.

Military programs –

Educational programs are also provided for children of military personnel. Child Development Centers offer child care for children of military families ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Programs are certified by the Department of Defense and accredited by a national accrediting body such as the National Association for Education of Young Children.

Common Career Paths for Preschool Teachers

In terms of growth, there are many positions that you can go for in the course of the normal progression for your career.

Initially, you could get promoted to the following positions:

Office Manager Human Resources Manager/ Operations Manager/ Executive Assistant/ Office Manager, Dental Office/ Office Manager, Medical Office Manager

From there, you can climb to middle management positions:

Senior Human Resources Manager/ General Operations Manager/ Executive Assistant to CEO/ Senior Executive Assistant/ Director of Operations/ Medical Office Manager/ Practice Manager/ Dental Office Manager/ Medical Billing Manager

Ultimately, you can land key leadership positions such as:

Education Administrator, Pre-School or Childcare Center Program/ Daycare Director/ Assistant Director Pre-school/ Childcare Center Director/ Director Pre-school/ Director Child Care