Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher Requirements in South Carolina

<p>If you plan to teach preschool, you can start a career with a shorter program at a community college, earning a certificate or associate degree in early childhood education. Teaching kindergarten requires you to earn a bachelor's degree, pass several exams, and take part in a student teaching experience before you can begin in your own classroom. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Certificate or associate degree for preschool<br />Bachelor's degree and teacher education program for kindergarten</td></tr> <tr><td>Exams Required</td><td>N/A for preschool <br /> Praxis Exams in Early Childhood Education</td></tr> <tr><td>Certificate Validity</td><td>Three years for initial certificate (not required for preschool)</td></tr> <tr><td>Certificate Upgrade</td><td>Passing of ADEPT evaluation</td></tr> <tr><td>Average South Carolina Salary (2018)</td><td>$52,540 for kindergarten and $28,940 for preschool teachers*</td></tr> <tr><td>National Job Growth (2016-2026)</td><td>8% for kindergarten, and 10% for preschool teachers*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3> <p>As either a preschool or kindergarten teacher, you will be responsible for some of the youngest students in the education system. Socialization and activity time are just as important in your classroom as education and learning about parts from your lesson plan. If you're teaching preschool, you might find work inside a daycare building or extended care facility, but you will most likely teach kindergarten inside a traditional school building. You can supervise your students inside the classroom as well as during outside activities and field trips, and you can give their parents regular updates and their performance during school. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTrainingRequirements">Education and Training Requirements</h3> <p>Educational requirements for preschool and kindergarten teachers are quite different. If you plan to instruct preschool students, you can begin a career shortly after finishing an associate degree or undergraduate certificate program in early childhood education. If you want to study more, you can choose to earn a bachelor's degree in the same subject, which is also a requirement for becoming a kindergarten teacher. You could learn about a broad number of topics in early childhood education programs, including group participation and motor skills. A bachelor's degree will include a student teaching practicum, necessary for you to earn your certification. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>While no exams are required to become a preschool teacher in South Carolina, you will need to take several if you want your certification as a kindergarten teacher. You'll first need to pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam before starting your teacher education practicum. This three-part exam covers reading, math, and writing, and can be taken all at once or broken into multiple sessions. Once you complete your student teaching experience, you will be assessed with the Praxis PPAT exam. You will also need the Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood and Education of Young Children exams. </p> <h3 id="section---CertificationRequirements">Certification Requirements</h3> <p>After completing all other obligations, along with a criminal background check, you can obtain your South Carolina Initial Certificate to teach kindergarten (preschool teachers do not need certification). This certificate is valid for three years, and although it cannot be renewed, you may be able to get extensions if you aren't yet ready to upgrade your title. Before you move on to the Professional Certificate, you will go through the ADEPT, South Carolina's formal teacher evaluation for certified educators. If you pass, you will automatically get your certificate upgraded to the professional level.</p>