Teaching young children in kindergarten or the elementary grades can be a very rewarding career. What is learned or not learned in these early years can, to a large degree, shape students' views of themselves, the process of education and the world in general.
Early childhood teachers usually teach a variety of subjects to the same group of children in one classroom. However there is a growing trend in education today specializing in one or two subjects and teaching these subjects to several classes. For this reason, among others, early childhood teachers are required to complete an area of specialization in addition to the "typical" courses of study.
Some Related Organizations
American Federation of Teachers
555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.aft.org
National Education Association
1201 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
www.nea.org
Some Related Values and Personal Attributes
- helping others to learn and succeed
- achievement
- recognition and appreciation for parental rights
- intellectual growth
- fondness for and dedication to human potential
- sensitive, warm attitude
- patience
- endurance
- integrity
- enthusiasm
- objectivity
Some Related Occupations
- Adult Education Teacher
- Agricultural Extension Agent
- Assistant Principal
- Business Education Teacher
- Camp Counselor
- Career Placement Director
- Christian Education Worker
- College Dean
- College President
- Curriculum Supervisor
- Director of Admissions
- Director of Student Affairs
- Education Consultant
- Elementary Teacher
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- Financial Aid Director
- 4-H Agent
- Librarian
- Peace Corps/VISTA Volunteer
- Personnel Director
- Politician
- Preschool Teacher
- Principal
- Registrar
- School Psychologist
- School Superintendent
- Secondary Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Speech Pathologist
- Textbook Writer
- Tutor
- Vocational/Technical
- YMCA/YWCA Worker
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Some Related Skills
- Ability to persuade and influence others
- Proficiency in interpersonal communication
- Intellectual capacity to perform well in most undergraduate and graduate curriculums
- Ability to communicate ideas, facts, and abstract concepts to others
- Ability to relate to and interact with people of differing backgrounds
- Aptitude for leadership
- Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations
- Understanding of educational theories
- Broad background of knowledge
- Ability to organize and maintain accurate records
- Proficiency in one or more specialized areas
Sources: College Majors and Careers, Occupational Outlook Handbook
