By: Lynzi Harris

Potential Careers Daycare Director Elementary School Teacher (K-3) School Psychologist School Counselor Preschool Teacher School Social Worker Own a daycare/preschool Teacher’s Aide

Daycare Director Responsibilities: Administrative Processing enrollments, keeping records, ordering supplies, and keeping files up to date is part of the director’s job. Managing Hiring, training, supervising, making work schedule, following ratio guidelines, and conducting evaluations is part of the director’s job. Instructional Overseeing the curriculum, reviewing teachers lesson plans, and filling in for absent teachers is part of the director’s job. Communication Handling concerns and questions, discussing incidents, and collecting payment is part of the director’s job. Compliance Updating licensing paperwork, and ensuring records are in compliance is part of the director’s job.

Daycare Director (continued) Requirements: Earn a degree Some states require a college degree. Gain Experience The amount of required experience varies by state. Work at a Licensed Facility This helps you gain experience to prepare for credentials required. Acquire Appropriate Credentials Most states require a CDA to become a director. Continue Education Staying up to date with continuing education is usually a requirement.

Public School Teacher Responsibilities: Instructing a class on several subjects is part of the job. Fostering all aspects of development is part of the job. Creating and implementing lesson plans is part of the job.

Public School Teacher (continued) Requirements: A bachelor’s degree from a teacher education program is required. All states require a license in teaching. Job Outlook: Employment in this field is expected to grow by 13% between

School Psychologist Responsibilities: Creating a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment is part of the job. Addressing students learning and behavior problems is part of the job. Evaluating the effectiveness of an academic program is part of the job.

School Psychologist (continued) Requirements: A specialist degree is required in most states -This includes education and psychology coursework.

Elementary School Counselor Responsibilities: Providing guidance services to students is part of the job. Evaluating strengths, problems, or special needs is part of the job. Helping students deal with social, behavioral, and personal problems before they get worse is part of the job. Note: Elementary school counselors do less vocational and academic counseling than high school counselors.

Elementary School Counselor (continued) Requirements: Usually a master’s degree is required to become licensed.

Preschool Teacher Responsibilities: Nurturing, teaching, and caring for children who have not entered kindergarten is part of the job. Planning and implementing a curriculum is part of the job. Introducing children to all subject areas is part of the job. Helping children with development in all areas is part of the job.

Preschool Teacher (continued) Requirements: The requirements vary for each state. A minimum of a high school diploma to a college degree is usually required. Trainings are usually required.

Social Worker Responsibilities: Aiming to improve social and psychological functioning of children and their families is part of the job. Requirements: Some states require a license. A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement. Salary Average salary= $54,000

Daycare Owner Responsibilities: Hiring the director is part of the job. Advertising for the business is part of the job. Overseeing all operations is part of the job. Obtaining a license and the required certifications is part of the job.

Daycare Owner (continued) Requirements Owner must meet licensing requirements. Education requirements vary by state. Meeting the needs of children is a requirement. Obtaining certifications is a requirement. Average Salary= $37,000

Comparing Degrees… Associate’s Degree: Pre-school Teacher Teacher’s Aide Bachelor’s Degree: Public School (K-Third) School Social Worker School Psychologist

My Goals Short Term Goals I have a goal to graduate from Ivy Tech Community College in May this year. I want to find an assistant job in the early childhood field this summer. Long Term Goals I have a goal to graduate from Ball State University in I have a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.

References Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2010). Retrieved January 29, 2012, from Bureau of Labor Statistics :

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