Discover Early Childhood - Washington - Become an Early Childhood Teacher

Requirements for ECE Teacher Certification in Washington

Early Childhood Education in the United States has been woefully neglected. Where most other wealthy nations send 80% of their students to preschool, the US only sends around 54%, trailing behind Chile and Mexico. However, the national legislature has now chosen to address this issue by allocating $5.2 billion to block grants.

States like Washington are sure to see an uptick in childcare and developmental programs. As an example from another west coast state, California is planning to assist youngsters with paid leave for new parents. When parents are able to spend extended periods with their children, the kids start life with stronger bonds that set the stage for more learning and success later in life.

Washington Steps to Follow for Teachers

Washington's pathway to becoming a certified teacher is a bit different than that of other states. Teachers do not receive state certification. However, the programs that will employ you do receive certification, and they can only do so if they employ teachers with specific qualifications. So, as with most states, the first step along the way is to attain a degree in education. However, you won’t need to spend four years getting your degree, as you can become an Early Childhood Educator if you have an associate’s degree. You should look for a program that specializes in Elementary Education. This will cement a sound foundation for your future as an educator and will also put you on a path for certification.

Washington Steps to Follow for Teachers

Step 1. Earn Your Degree

Though you are technically not required to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Washington, the state is full of colleges and universities that bestow degrees in Early Childhood Education. You may find that the job market is too competitive for someone with only an associate degree. Additionally, private schools and the Head Start program in the state often require their employees to have a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, so you’ll really want to consider whether or not you think it’s worth it.

Once you have worked through your degree curriculum, including a student teacher experience, you can move forward to attain a teaching credential and put your knowledge into action for the benefit of your students. Some courses you might take along your way to graduation include, but are not limited to:

Human Development
Classroom Management
Exceptional Child
Educational Technology
Music in Elementary Education

If you need to work while pursuing your undergraduate degree, try to find work in an educational setting such as a preschool, or even as a paraprofessional. If you can pass the ETS Parapro examination, you can qualify to work in public schools alongside a fully-certified teacher. Such experience can be invaluable for your later classroom work and will look great on a resume when you graduate.

Step 2. Complete any Required Exams

As a capstone to your education, the state requires that you pass a standardized examination as part of your licensure application. Many states rely on the PRAXIS series, but in Washington you'll take Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-E). For Early Childhood Education, you must take the NES Early Childhood Education examination.

This is a 150-item, multiple-choice test that takes up to three hours. The exam measures your knowledge of the field. You can take the computer-based test (CBT) at any Pearson/Vue testing center in Washington state or nationwide. Thus, if you are studying in an out-of-state university but know you'll return, or move to, Washington, you can take the specific, required test. The test is broken down into four parts:

21% - Child Development and Learning
29% - Language and Literacy Development
36% - Learning Across the Curriculum
14% - Professional Relationships and Responsibilities

Step 3. Standards and Qualifications

The final step in qualifying for your Washington State teaching credential involves a background check and fingerprinting. The state patrol and the FBI will take your fingerprints for cross-reference against their databases. You will also fill out a character and fitness supplement which asks about your legal history and other character-specific matters pertinent to your career in the classroom.

If you have any infractions greater than speeding tickets or other minor items, you should report them and provide an accounting. That is, you should provide a description of the matter and detail how you paid your debt to society. That includes all relevant fines, community service, or even incarceration.

Popular Career Choices

Preschool Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher

Find Your Career Path and Calling as an ECE Teacher

There are as many reasons to teach as there are teachers, or students. For most educators, teaching is a calling. They are driven to work with youngsters so as to help them grow up to become successful, happy adults. As your career progresses, you will find that the job is indeed quite difficult. After all, a teacher wears many hats throughout the day: teacher, social worker, disciplinarian, administrator, and manager, to name a few. However, if you have excellent training and are well-organized, your classrooms will hum like well-oiled machines. Not every student will stand out, but those that do will be a source of inspiration for a lifetime. What job can boast that?

If you feel the calling to teach, there is probably no question in your mind but that this is the career for you. If that's the case, then it's time to get started. Find the best program for you and apply today!

Accredited Washington Programs

Initial Credentials:

This will be your first official teaching license. This license is awarded once you have completed the educational, examination, and background portions of your application.

Continuing Teacher:

This is the next level after our initial license. To qualify, you must have a master's degree or 45 quarter hours (30 semester hours) of upper level and/or graduate coursework. You should also have 180 days of experience in the classroom. Washington State will accept substitute teaching, out-of-state teaching, and multidistrict work.

Washington also requires that you complete a course titled Issues of Abuse. This will help you identify students who are suffering with emotional, physical, sexual, or substance abuse issues. You will also learn how these issues impact student learning and outcomes, your responsibilities as a mandatory reporter, how to teach about these issues, and how to prevent them.

Accredited Early Childhood Educator Teacher Preparation Programs

Accreditation is vital when you're training to be an educator. Your school must be accredited and approved by the state as a teacher preparation program. Thankfully, it's hard to find an education department that is not state-approved, but it's always worthwhile to ensure that your education is accredited. After all, you may decide halfway through that you desire a different focus or a different major altogether. When your courses are through an accredited program, you can likely transfer most of your credits toward a different degree.

Antioch University

Degrees Offered:

Elementary Education: Master of Arts
English Language Learner: Endorsement
K-12 Library Media: Endorsement
Special Education: Endorsement

Accreditation By:

Washington Professional Educator Standards Board
Higher Learning Commission

Central Washington University

Degrees Offered:

Early Childhood Education: Bachelor of Arts
Elementary Education: Bachelor of Arts

Accreditation By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

City University of Seattle

Degrees Offered:

Elementary Education: Bachelor's Degree/endorsement, Master's
Special Education: Bachelor's Degree/endorsement, Master's
Reading: Bachelor's Degree/endorsement, Master's (Reading and Literacy)
School Counseling: Master's Degree

Accreditation By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Gonzaga University

Degrees Offered:

Elementary Education: Bachelor's Degree, Master's
Special Education: Bachelor's Degree
English Language Arts: Bachelor's Degree
School Counseling: Master's Degree
English as a Second Language: Master's Degree

Accreditation By:

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

University of Washington – Seattle

Degrees Offered:

Elementary Education: Bachelor's Degree, Master's
Special Education: Bachelor's Degree, Master's, Endorsement
ESL: Endorsement
Reading: Endorsement

Accreditation By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

A Daycare Facility Lead Teacher is straight responsible for the treatment and likewise education and learning as well as knowing of children and also need to offer developmentally proper very early youth education and learning and make sure a secure knowing ambience. The Lead Teacher needs to demonstrate competence to observe as well as assess kids's advancement, approach children's curriculum based upon child growth proficiency, style the understanding setting, carry out and oversee developmentally correct uncovering tasks, construct positive partnerships with children, approach advice techniques for youngsters, consist of mother and fathers, as well as honor distinctions.

You will certainly help groom teachers in the direction of excellence while in addition crafting trustworthy educational programs for the trainees in your care. Whether you are informing ivy-league bound pupils with dyslexia or those with even more substantial obstacles to understanding, this can be amongst one of one of the most fulfilling jobs. You should be able to construct Specific Education and learning Strategies (IEPs) for each and every and every trainee, and after that examine these documents with moms and dads and likewise other specialists.

You can aid these trainees comprehend their new language as well as likewise otherwise browse our English-dominated society. Every trainee faces battles as they grow in this society. As a College Psychotherapist, you can help your trainees handle their issues. You could similarly offer individuality or expertise examinations to assist recognize problems, or to aid teachers much better recognize a distinct youngster.

The remarkable state of Washington is a location to lay eyes on. The fantastic variety and also natural beauty can practically be irritating. Simply as outstanding are the experiences you can have with tiny students in really early youth education and learning and also knowing. While numerous areas of the nation have really reduced financing for pre-K programs, along with enrollment has postponed in different other states, Washington is an exception.

Supplies the Very early Childhood Years Education And Also Discovering AAS Degree, that makes it possible for trainees to end up being lead teachers. Pupils in the program find out to create a portfolio revealing their experience with children. Graduates become lead trainers ready such as Head Begin, personal day care centers, and additionally day care companies. Credit scores could be moved to four-year establishments.

The aim is to use a voice at the state level for childcare facilities, teachers and likewise team. Instructor Tom is a superior extremely early youth instructor in Seattle, Washington, whose widely-known blog site is favored with several individuals. Educator Tom: Training in addition to Discovering From Preschoolers is a total of representations, explorations, based ideas, and likewise activities to involve preschoolers produced by a teacher that enjoys what he is doing.

His reputable faves area has numerous valuable web links and sources. A blog for today's world, Modern technology In Early Youth is maintained by an assistant more youthful preschool teacher in an independent school with a degree in primary education as well as learning and also a referral in very early young people education and understanding. She delights in innovation and additionally enjoys searching for methods to include it into the preschool educational program.

A person who has an interest in becoming a preschool teacher in Washington state will be required to complete an approved teaching certification program. The teacher certification program is an examination, which is given after passing several written exams. Once the exams are passed, the teacher becomes eligible for teaching positions.

A person who wants to become a teacher in Wisconsin can apply through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). There are certain requirements needed to apply for the DPI. To be considered, an applicant must have a high school diploma. The applicant should also have completed coursework on mathematics and English composition, or the equivalent.

To become a teacher in Wisconsin, one has to complete a master's degree program at a university or college in Wisconsin, and pass a national teacher certification exam. This examination is usually given by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and is a nationally recognized test for teachers of all ages.

A teacher's certification examination is usually administered once every ten years. It has to be renewed annually, so that it covers the changing curriculum requirements in Wisconsin and around the country.

When a teacher gets certified as a teacher in Wisconsin, he or she can apply for a position in a public preschool in Wisconsin. To apply for a preschool job, the applicant has to submit proof of teacher credentials to the Department of Health Services.

To become a preschool teacher in Wisconsin, one needs to have at least four years of classroom experience. To qualify, the teacher should have worked with children for at least five years before applying.

In order to teach preschool, a teacher will need to have a license from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They also need to hold a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Arts degree or a Doctorate of Education. The teacher must have completed a teacher training program and have a minimum of three years of experience in the field. The teacher must also pass a state examination before being certified

To become a teacher in Wisconsin, an applicant has to meet several qualifications, which includes a strong academic background, an interest in children and a good working attitude. For more information on becoming a teacher, an applicant can contact the Department of Public Instruction.

In order to work as a teacher in Wisconsin, a teacher needs to complete a teacher's education program. He or she has to go through a rigorous training program to learn about teaching, child development, math and reading. Other programs that are required are CPR and first aid training.

After the teacher completes a teacher's education program, he or she has to apply for a teacher's license in Wisconsin. They have to be able to prove that they are qualified and that they are a good fit for the job. In addition, they also have to get a recommendation from the Department of Health Services. and prove that they have worked in a public school district for a minimum of two years.

Once a teacher gets a license, he or she has to show his or her certification to the department. This is known as a teacher's logbook. The teacher must renew it annually. When the teacher has successfully completed the teacher's license exam, he or she gets an identification card.

When a teacher is hired, he or she must teach under the supervision of a licensed professional teacher. A certified teacher can only be hired as a teacher in Wisconsin if he or she holds a master's degree or higher. There are also other teachers who can teach, but do not hold the bachelor's degree because their degrees are less than the required level.

There are many preschool teaching jobs available in Wisconsin, but most people start their careers in smaller districts. Some of these smaller districts include: Milwaukee Public Schools, Kenilworth Schools, Appleton-Middle School District, Ashwaubenon Schools and Menominee Schools. They have different qualifications than the larger districts.

Career Options and Salary Info for Teachers

Public schools:

This is perhaps the most popular career route for future educators. Public Schools are ubiquitous in Washington and the rest of the nation. Once you have your teaching credentials, you can seek employment statewide, and likely even transfer your credentials if you happen to move to another state.

Private childcare:

Families sometimes employ independent childcare workers and trained educators to work with their children. These positions frequently involve a mix of pedagogy and childcare duties such as driving children to activities, meal preparation, and other supports.

Private schools:

Private schools offer much the same work environment as public institutions, but the classes are often smaller, and they pay somewhat lower on average. However, private school teachers often have more autonomy over their curriculum and classroom management. You don't need a license to work in private schools, but a background in education will be helpful when you are applying for work.

Head Start Programs:

These federally funded programs offer low-income students access to prekindergarten education that they might not be able to access otherwise. Given the recent budgetary allowances for Early Childhood Education, Head Start is likely to need more teachers.

Community-based Programs:

These programs offer children a way to interact with their wider community under the rubric of specific activities. These programs don't often require special licensure, but you will probably need to pass a background check prior to employment.

Faith-based Programs:

If your faith is something you wish to practice in your profession, you can seek out an appropriate faith-based program in which to teach. This could involve working in a church daycare/preschool or a stand-alone faith-based school.

Military Programs:

Certified teachers from any state are welcome to apply to travel the globe teaching the children of military personnel. Considering that the United States has bases on nearly every continent, you can broaden your own horizons while simultaneously expanding young minds.

Early Childhood Education Teaching Salaries in Washington

Preschool Teacher:

Your students are likely to be toddlers up to age four, or so. There are a wide range of prekindergarten programs that span from simple play, naps, and snacks to schools driven by strong educational philosophies that seek to instill lasting lessons. Montessori and Reggio-Emilia are two examples of creative preschool curricula.

Elementary School Teacher:

As an Elementary School Teacher, you will help students build a foundation of knowledge that will serve them for the rest of their lives. You will also nurture them as people, easing them through their development.

Professor of Education:

If your interest in education and pedagogy is more academic than practical, you can pursue a doctoral degree in Education and help prepare college students for the classroom. If you plan on teaching an early education course, then it may be beneficial to spend a few years in an Elementary or Secondary classroom, but not necessarily required.

School Principal:

Teachers who wish to serve at a higher level than the classroom can return for master's degrees and then achieve an administration-level license. You will help groom teachers towards excellence while also crafting effective curricula for the students in your care.

Special Education Teacher:

Whether you are teaching ivy-league bound students with dyslexia or those with more profound barriers to learning, this can be one of the most rewarding careers. You must be able to put together Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each student, and then review these documents with parents and other professionals.

ESL Teacher:

Washington State is home to many students for whom English is not their first language. You can help these students master their new language and otherwise navigate our English-dominated culture.

School Psychologist:

Every student faces struggles as they grow up in this society. As a School Psychologist, you can help your students manage their difficulties. You might also administer personality or intelligence tests to help diagnose problems, or to help teachers better understand a unique child.