Tennessee Preschool Teacher Requirements
This article explains the process of becoming a preschool teacher in the state of Tennessee. Continue reading to find out more about the steps that are necessary to meet the requirements.
Requirements to Become a Preschool Teacher in Tennessee
There are three basic requirements which must be met in order to become a preschool teacher in Tennessee. They are as follows:
- Meet the early childhood educator criteria.
- Take the required exams and achieve passing scores.
- Make sure your early educator credentials remain current and improve your credentials.
<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>