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I want to become a teacher, early childhood education. How long is the process? I know everyone has their own path, timing but how long did it take you to become a teacher? Is it also a good paying salary career?(NYC DOE)
I've always been interested in teaching and learning from kids. Please be honest and thank you for taking your time to read along with answering if you do. Have a good day!!!!!!!
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Lauren’s Answer
To become a certified teacher, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4 year university. If you major in education, you’ll receive your certification in conjunction with your degree; otherwise, if your major is not in education, then you’ll need to do an additional alternative certification program, which is typically an extra year.
If you know for sure that you want to be in the education field, whether you’re a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum designer, behavior specialist, diagnostician, counselor, administration, principal, etc. I highly recommend majoring in elementary education or multidisciplinary studies (secondary education).
If you’re not 100% sure, it wouldn’t hurt to get a degree in business or something widely used and then spend an extra year getting your alternative certification post-graduation. That way if you decide teaching isn’t for you, you can transition into a career in which your degree is in.
While education is an admirable career and can be very emotionally rewarding, it is also VERY emotionally draining. I was a middle school teacher for three years before I transitioned into healthcare and burnout is real. The salary is almost unlivable without a second source of income and often your personal life and mental health suffers. You’ll get paid a third of what your peers are making and you only get your retirement if you make it to the end; otherwise, they keep a significant portion of it. This may be different in New York than in Texas, which has a completely different education system than the rest of the country, but I definitely encourage you to do your research on the salary scales and retirement benefits in your area before making a decision. I can’t imagine that it’s easy to live in New York on a teacher’s salary.
I don’t say any of this to discourage you, but definitely make sure it’s what you want to do before you start. While it was difficult, it also provided me with invaluable experience that made me a better human in so many ways and I’ll always cherish the relationships I had with my students. Wishing you all the best!
If you know for sure that you want to be in the education field, whether you’re a teacher, instructional coach, curriculum designer, behavior specialist, diagnostician, counselor, administration, principal, etc. I highly recommend majoring in elementary education or multidisciplinary studies (secondary education).
If you’re not 100% sure, it wouldn’t hurt to get a degree in business or something widely used and then spend an extra year getting your alternative certification post-graduation. That way if you decide teaching isn’t for you, you can transition into a career in which your degree is in.
While education is an admirable career and can be very emotionally rewarding, it is also VERY emotionally draining. I was a middle school teacher for three years before I transitioned into healthcare and burnout is real. The salary is almost unlivable without a second source of income and often your personal life and mental health suffers. You’ll get paid a third of what your peers are making and you only get your retirement if you make it to the end; otherwise, they keep a significant portion of it. This may be different in New York than in Texas, which has a completely different education system than the rest of the country, but I definitely encourage you to do your research on the salary scales and retirement benefits in your area before making a decision. I can’t imagine that it’s easy to live in New York on a teacher’s salary.
I don’t say any of this to discourage you, but definitely make sure it’s what you want to do before you start. While it was difficult, it also provided me with invaluable experience that made me a better human in so many ways and I’ll always cherish the relationships I had with my students. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you Lauren! For your sharing your perspective, this is amazing. I really needed it.
Myranda
Updated
Kristin’s Answer
I've known a number of teachers. Pretty much agree it is a 4 year process. Salary for education is always pretty low compared to other careers. Teachers do what they do because they love to teach. Retirement benefits are usually God, though.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Myranda
Updated
Jane’s Answer
I know a few teachers. This is a 4 year degree, but can be done in less time if you take summer courses.
Salary is not high.
Salary is not high.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Myranda
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
Hi Myranda!
Just wanted to start off by saying I admire your passion to become a teacher and to work with kids. Unfortunately, teaching has become a less desirable career. I was a teacher for 5 years and I actually just transitioned out of the classroom last month to work for an Ed Tech company as a Learning Experience Designer. I will get into the details of this decision later on.
To become a teacher in NYS you need to obtain an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. *In my opinion, if you would like to save money you can attend a community college for 2 years and take all your prerequisite courses. Your final 2 years will need to be done at a 4 year university and at that time you will take all of your education classes and complete your student teaching placements.
An early childhood education degree/certification will cover Birth to Grade 2. Many people add on the childhood education degree (Grades 1-6) since it will make you more marketable to a school district. *Only issue with that is you can start in Pre-K and the school can decided to move you to another grade at some point. Thankfully, NYS got rid of the EdTPA (a nightmare that still haunts me), and you only have to complete the requirements for your university and pass a handful of exams. Keep in mind that right out of college you will get an initial certification, then you will have 5 years to complete a masters program and work for 3 years (within your certification area) in a school in order to apply for a professional certification (this can be done in less that 5 years). There are states in the United States that don't require teachers to have a masters degree, it is required in NYS. Your masters degree does not necessarily have to be the same as your undergraduate degree. For example, I have an undergraduate degree in childhood education with a concentration in mathematics. I then got a masters degree in educational technologies and emerging media.
To wrap this up, I don't want to persuade your decision but I do want to be honest and give context to my decision to leave teaching. After 5 years, I was burnt-out, physically and emotionally. It was definitely taking a toll on my mental health and I had to make the hard decision to leave. It also didn't help that the pay is definitely not great and there was a lack of support from my administration. Teachers are 100% unpaid, especially for how essential they are. My biggest pet-peeve was when non-teachers would attempt to guilt me when they would say I get summers and all those vacations off but realistically you are prepping, planning, and attending PD in the summers. Also found myself working during our vacations. It was hard for me to have a healthy work life balance. Especially when you want to go above and beyond for your students. Looking back, I poured so much money and time into my class that really wasn't appreciated or necessary. It is also sad that our retirement benefits are no where near as good as teachers who will get to be retiring soon. For Tier 6 teachers the return rate is low and there isn't the same health insurance coverage, plus you have to work 30 years and to age 67 to receive benefits your full benefits.
I hope that things will improve in the educational field. It really is a rewarding job and you make such an impact on the lives of all your students. For many kids, your classroom will be their safe space and you may be the one person they can always rely upon. Although I made the decision to leave, I will never regret the 5 years I spent teaching.
Just wanted to start off by saying I admire your passion to become a teacher and to work with kids. Unfortunately, teaching has become a less desirable career. I was a teacher for 5 years and I actually just transitioned out of the classroom last month to work for an Ed Tech company as a Learning Experience Designer. I will get into the details of this decision later on.
To become a teacher in NYS you need to obtain an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. *In my opinion, if you would like to save money you can attend a community college for 2 years and take all your prerequisite courses. Your final 2 years will need to be done at a 4 year university and at that time you will take all of your education classes and complete your student teaching placements.
An early childhood education degree/certification will cover Birth to Grade 2. Many people add on the childhood education degree (Grades 1-6) since it will make you more marketable to a school district. *Only issue with that is you can start in Pre-K and the school can decided to move you to another grade at some point. Thankfully, NYS got rid of the EdTPA (a nightmare that still haunts me), and you only have to complete the requirements for your university and pass a handful of exams. Keep in mind that right out of college you will get an initial certification, then you will have 5 years to complete a masters program and work for 3 years (within your certification area) in a school in order to apply for a professional certification (this can be done in less that 5 years). There are states in the United States that don't require teachers to have a masters degree, it is required in NYS. Your masters degree does not necessarily have to be the same as your undergraduate degree. For example, I have an undergraduate degree in childhood education with a concentration in mathematics. I then got a masters degree in educational technologies and emerging media.
To wrap this up, I don't want to persuade your decision but I do want to be honest and give context to my decision to leave teaching. After 5 years, I was burnt-out, physically and emotionally. It was definitely taking a toll on my mental health and I had to make the hard decision to leave. It also didn't help that the pay is definitely not great and there was a lack of support from my administration. Teachers are 100% unpaid, especially for how essential they are. My biggest pet-peeve was when non-teachers would attempt to guilt me when they would say I get summers and all those vacations off but realistically you are prepping, planning, and attending PD in the summers. Also found myself working during our vacations. It was hard for me to have a healthy work life balance. Especially when you want to go above and beyond for your students. Looking back, I poured so much money and time into my class that really wasn't appreciated or necessary. It is also sad that our retirement benefits are no where near as good as teachers who will get to be retiring soon. For Tier 6 teachers the return rate is low and there isn't the same health insurance coverage, plus you have to work 30 years and to age 67 to receive benefits your full benefits.
I hope that things will improve in the educational field. It really is a rewarding job and you make such an impact on the lives of all your students. For many kids, your classroom will be their safe space and you may be the one person they can always rely upon. Although I made the decision to leave, I will never regret the 5 years I spent teaching.
Hi Alyssa, I greatly appreciate you replying back to my question wish such useful information for me to take in right now because I currently am in my senior year and stressed since is it that time. I am so thankful you replied because I am researching more n more but from experience is always better and your so honest. I’m so confused on what my major should b at this point now but I know within education or just helping people, kids. I will research a learning experience designer just to understand more but so happy you finally have a healthy work life balance after teaching with no regrets. Thank you so much again for replying this helped me tons!
Myranda