How to Become a Preschool Teacher in Texas: Requirements & Certification

<p>Those wanting to teach at the preschool level in Texas will want to obtain certification in early childhood (EC). There are specific requirements you need to complete to become certified to teach young students in the three to four age range. Read below to find out more about the specific degree, experience, and exams you need. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Education Required </td><td> Bachelor's degree and state-approved educator preparation program</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (EC-12); Core Subjects (EC-6)</td></tr> <tr><td> License Renewal Period </td><td> Five years</td></tr> <tr><td> CEU Credits Required for Renewal </td><td> 150 hours of continuing professional education</td></tr> <tr><td> Average Salary (2018) </td><td>$34,960*</td></tr> <tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 19.1%**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Texas Workforce Commission </i></p> <h3 id="section---FulfillEducationRequirements">Fulfill Education Requirements</h3> <p>Anyone interested in becoming a preschool teacher in Texas must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college. The bachelor's degree can be in any major relevant to teaching preschool, such as early childhood education or child development. As part of the degree, students may take coursework in subjects such as early childhood development, foundations of early childhood education, and wellness of the young child. </p> <p>Prospective teachers also must complete an educator preparation program that has been approved by the Texas Education Agency and includes instruction on teaching students with dyslexia. Those interested in teaching preschool will complete coursework with curriculum for preschool students, language acquisition, and designing student assessments. Prospective teachers will also complete fieldwork as a student teacher in a local preschool, so they can apply their methods to a real-world setting. </p> <h3 id="section---CompleteExamRequirements">Complete Exam Requirements</h3> <p>There are two required certification exams for a teacher certification in early childhood education. The TExES Core Subjects EC-6 includes five subject exams: English Language Arts and Reading &amp; Science of Teaching Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education. The exam is computer-based, contains about 300 selected-response questions, and you have five hours to complete it. A score of 240 on each of the five subject exams is needed to pass. </p> <p>The Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities is a computer-based test containing 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers subjects such as professional responsibilities, student assessment, classroom management, and curriculum development. A score of 240 is needed to pass this exam. </p> <p>Students must receive approval from their educator preparation program before taking these exams. </p> <h3 id="section---SubmitApplication">Submit Application</h3> <p>After confirming with your program that you have completed all requirements, you can apply to become a certified preschool teacher. You must submit an application and fee to the Texas Education Agency. As part of the application, you will also be required to have a criminal background check and fingerprints on file. The teacher certification you receive qualifies you to teach general education from early childhood to grade 6. </p> <h3 id="section---FulfillRenewalRequirements">Fulfill Renewal Requirements</h3> <p>Once you receive the teacher certification, it is valid for five years. To renew the certification, teachers must complete at least 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE), submit a renewal application, and pay a fee. There are several ways teacher can complete their CPE. Some examples include attending workshops, taking graduate education courses, and participating in professional seminars. The Texas Education Agency provides a list of approved providers. Teachers should accurately document all CPE hours to ensure they receive credit.</p>