Tennessee Preschool Teacher Requirements

<h2 id="section---RequirementsToBecomeAPreschoolTeacherInTennessee">Requirements to Become a Preschool Teacher in Tennessee</h2> <p>There are three basic requirements which must be met in order to become a preschool teacher in Tennessee. They are as follows: </p> <ol><li>Meet the early childhood educator criteria. </li><li>Take the required exams and achieve passing scores. </li><li>Make sure your early educator credentials remain current and improve your credentials. </li></ol><p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required (State-sponsored programs) </td><td> Bachelor's degree and early childhood education teacher preparation program; <br />24 semester hours in the subject you are interested in teaching</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> Passing scores on the required Praxis exams</td></tr> <tr><td> License Validity Period </td><td> License valid for five years</td></tr> <tr><td>CEU Credits Required for Renewal </td><td> 45 renewal points</td></tr> <tr><td>Mean Salary for Preschool Teachers in Tennessee (2018)</td><td>$32,630*</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Nationwide Job Growth for Preschool Teachers (2018-2018)</td><td> 7%*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---CompleteTheEarlyChildhoodEducatorCriteria">Complete the Early Childhood Educator Criteria</h3> <h4 id="section---PreschoolsSponsoredByTheState">Preschools Sponsored by the State</h4> <ol><li>Bachelor's degree and early childhood education teacher preparation program </li><li>Pass tests required by the state of Tennessee </li><li>Submit a licensure application with the Tennessee Department of Education </li></ol><h4 id="section---HeadStartProgramsInTennessee">Head Start Programs in Tennessee</h4> <ol><li>Half of the teachers are required to have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a similar field </li><li>Experience teaching preschoolers is preferred </li></ol><h4 id="section---ChildcarePrograms">Childcare Programs</h4> <ol><li>Complete child abuse prevention training </li><li>Have graduated with a high school diploma or GED </li><li>Have obtained a Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) Orientation Certificate or the equivalent </li><li>Have four years' experience working with children </li></ol><h3 id="section---TakeTheRequiredExamsAndAchievePassingScores">Take the Required Exams and Achieve Passing Scores</h3> <ol><li>Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: reading, writing, and mathematics </li><li>Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood </li><li>Praxis Education of Young Children </li><li>Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge </li><li>Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary Education </li></ol><h3 id="section---MaintainAndImproveYourEarlyEducatorCredentials">Maintain and Improve Your Early Educator Credentials</h3> <p>On a yearly basis, preschool teachers who are employed at childcare centers are required to complete at least 18 hours of in-service training. </p> <p>Every five years, preschool teachers who are required to maintain a teaching license must complete 45 renewal points by attending activities for professional development or taking related college courses.</p>