Preschool Teachers Are Professionals – Let’s Pay Them Like It
Today, I’m shadowing Raquel Lima, a preschool teacher in New Jersey, to learn more about what it takes to be a preschool teacher. To the untrained eye, the job of a preschool teacher might look a lot like playing with kids. And play-based learning is a critical part of a child’s early development. But it would be a huge mistake to assume that, because it looks fun, being an early childhood educator is not serious and skilled work.
The early years of a child’s growth are critical for growth and development – they can set up a future of success in school and life. And educating children in those critical years requires deep knowledge, expertise, and skill.
The impact of a great preschool teacher is powerful. Studies show that a high-quality preschool education can result in positive academic, health, and social-emotional outcomes and is a critical means of expanding educational equity and opportunity by giving every child a strong start. Children who attend these programs are more likely to do well in school, find good jobs, and succeed in their careers than those who don’t.
Yet, the median annual wage for preschool teachers in America is $28,570 – less than an average custodial position. In fact, most early childhood educators earn so little that they qualify for public benefits. A PreK teacher working in an early learning program that targets low-income families often qualifies for the same program.
Undervaluing our nation’s early childhood educators flies in the face of what we know about early brain development and the importance of high quality early childhood education.
As a nation, we can and must do more to invest in our youngest learners. Paying our preschool teachers like the professionals they are would be a good start.
PYP Homeroom Teacher @Lutheran Kyushu International School | IB Educator/ Science Teacher
8 年100% right!!!! Thanks for this nice article Mr.King ! Yeah, as a teacher, I should say that everyday at school when I see the kids how much they are curious about the world and trying to find a way to understand the things that are happening around them is amazing.. but not just this part is amazing the most important part is how the teachers realize and help all of them on their curiosity and find the special way for each kid to make them understand the things that are happening right there... it's not really easy.. you should put your eyes on them all the time... there is a lot to say but yeah, being a preschool teacher is ....
PLANNING CONSULTANT( project planning and development): International trade,Healthcare, Non profits
8 年Early childhood education programs are in demand. This where a child's foundation is built. Rich parents leave it with private schools; poor children can rot on the street and suffer at hands of the old school attitudes of teachers. For, some teachers it is choice. They like children and draw satisfaction from it, and dedicated. let salaries not be the essential criteria while jobs opportunities are greater and programs do not really require higher level education.
Owner of The Imagination Institute learning Centre
8 年This is such a true fact. Unfortunately people have this stigma about preschool teachers and this is a global stigma. I wish more people will realise that we build the foundation for future doctors, lawyers and accountants. These people get paid big bucks. I hope that this will catch on.
Africause
8 年Yes!
Early Childhood Education Adjunct at Contra Costa College
8 年Great article!...It's sad that preschool teachers are not seen as professionals, even though many of us have higher education with bachelors and masters degrees!