Become a Preschool or Kindergarten Teacher in Oregon

<p>Preschool and kindergarten teachers will take different paths when starting their respective careers. While preschool teachers only need to complete a certificate program at a community college or technical school, future kindergarten teachers must finish a degree program that includes a teacher education component. Teaching kindergarten also requires passing several exams before earning a license. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Certificate for preschool teachers; Bachelor's degree and teacher education program for kindergarten teachers</td></tr> <tr><td>Exams Required</td><td>None for preschool; Civil Rights Exam and NES in Early Childhood Education</td></tr> <tr><td>License Validity</td><td>Three years for a Preliminary Teaching License</td></tr> <tr><td>License Extension</td><td>Continuous three-year renewals until upgrading to a Professional Teaching License</td></tr> <tr><td>Average Oregon Salary (2018)</td><td>$30,400 for preschool teachers, $72,830 for kindergarten teachers*</td></tr> <tr><td>National Job Growth (2016-2026)</td><td>10% for preschool teachers, 8% for kindergarten teachers*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3> <p>Educating students in preschool and kindergarten requires you to focus as much on socialization in your students as classroom instruction. For many of your students, it could be their first exposure to the education system, and you'll get to introduce them to rules, schedules, and behavior norms. You'll get to use lesson plans to create structure throughout the year, and you'll probably have to adjust them due to illness, weather, or other events. Recreational time in the classroom will be as important as work for your students, and you'll have to monitor them when they go outside to play. After class is over, you'll regularly check in with parents about their children's progress and how they can help. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3> <p>In Oregon, preschool teachers need to earn an academic certificate to qualify for a job. You can find this with an Early Childhood Education Certificate, which might include flexible scheduling options for the number of credits you can take per semester. You may be able to complete some or all of your courses online, learning about topics such as learning design and cultural diversity in childhood education. </p> <p>If you plan to be a kindergarten teacher, the requirements are a bit more strict. To fully qualify for certification, you'll need to earn a Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science and pass the requisite exams. As part of the degree, a student teaching experience is included, and you'll also take a course in student and civil rights. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>There are no exam requirements to become a preschool teacher in Oregon. For kindergarten teachers, you'll need to pass the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam, administered by Pearson. You'll have 90 minutes to take this test, which contains 60 multiple choice questions and requires a score of 240 to pass. Kindergarten teachers can register for the Early Childhood Education exam, which also comes in multiple choice format with 150 questions. A 220 is considered passing for this test. </p> <h3 id="section---LicenseRequirements">License Requirements</h3> <p>After you complete all of the exam requirements, you can apply for your Preliminary Teaching License in Oregon. Along with all of the other requirements, you'll have to complete a criminal background check, which includes fingerprinting. This license is good for three years, and you can renew it for the same amount of time after completing 75 continuing education credits. When you have completed four full years or six part-time years of teaching, you can apply for a Professional Teaching License, the next step in Oregon's educator credentials.</p>