Georgia Preschool Teacher Salaries
Most Georgia preschool teachers and administrators achieve median salary rates that are quite close to the national average. The state-funded free pre-K programs ensure constant demand for early childhood educators, with the number of preschool teachers set to expand by 13.6 percent between 2016 and 2026, generating 1,710 openings each year according to the state Department of Labor. Those openings come both from turnover in the current ranks as teachers transition to retirement and new jobs being created to meet demand.
Preschool administrators and special educators have even more growth to look forward to, with a 14.5 percent and 15.3 percent increase respectively both well above the rate of expansion nationally.
According to 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, each role had the following salary ranges :
Preschool Administrators: $43,650 $58,220 $65,460
Preschool Teacher: $28,750 $36,510 $46,690
Preschool Special Educator: $54,430 $64,940 $75,400
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
As the largest metro area in the state, Atlanta also offers the largest selection of preschool employers and also the highest average salaries for preschool teachers.
- Atlanta Public Schools
Job growth projections sourced from the Georgia Department of Labor and published in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections database . Employment conditions in your area may vary.
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How Do Different Degrees Place On The Career Pathway
For a full list of PAs degrees that count as ECE Degrees or Equivalencies, visit the National Association of Education for Young Childrens degree finder.
For degrees not included in this directory but thought to be an ECE equivalent, verifiers will evaluate the transcript from the program and look for 30 ECE credits.
All credentials, certifications, or endorsements must be current to qualify. If not, Plus status may be lost.
How Does It Work
The SFw for Early Childhood contains information on career pathways, occupations, job roles, skills and competencies and training programmes.
Sector Information
This section provides information for SFw for Early Childhood including information on trends and workforce profiles in the sector.
Click here to download the Guide to Occupations and Skills for the Early Childhood sector.
Career Pathways
The Career Pathways show the possible options for vertical and lateral progression for advancement and growth.
Click here to download the Career Pathways for the SFw for Early Childhood.
Skills Map
The Skills Maps covers a total of 27 job roles, critical work functions, key tasks and skills and competencies aligned to three tracks.
Click here to download the Skills Map.
View the Occupations/Job Roles under the SFw for Early Childhood
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Apply For An Induction And Professional Certificate
Upon completing all components of the appropriate induction pathway, you may apply for an Induction Certificate to teach preschool in Georgia. Induction certificates are valid for a period of 3 years.
You must work for all 3 years of your induction certificate to convert your induction certificate to a professional certificate, which is valid for a period of 5 years and is renewable. You can renew your induction certificate if you cannot meet this professional requirement. To apply for an Induction Certificate, you must:
- Complete an Employer Assurance Form
Ready to start your preschool teaching career with a bachelors degree in ECE or advance your career with a Masters degree in ECE? Check out our comprehensive list of ECE degrees by State at various levels to determine what program is right for you.
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Complete An Approved Route To Initial Certification
If you want to become a preschool teacher in Georgia, the first step is completing a Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved educator preparation program. A GaPSC-approved program includes a student teaching, field experience, or education practicum, which is completed in a Georgia school.
Depending on your educational background, a GaPSC-approved program may be:
- A bachelors degree program if you do not currently possess a bachelors degree
- An advanced degree program if you already possess a bachelors degree but have not completed the requirements for initial certification
- A certificate-only program if you already possess a bachelors degree program but have not completed the requirements for initial certification
You can view a list of GaPSC-approved teacher preparation programs here.
The following majors related to Early Childhood Education are recognized by the Department of Early Care and Learning for preschool lead teachers:
- Birth through Five
- Infant and child development
- Special education
The Department of Early Care and Learning also recognizes a degree in psychology or social work, provided it includes at least ONE of the following:
- An associate degree with a major in early childhood education
- A Montessori diploma
- A technical college diploma with an ECE major
- A technical certificate of credit with an ECE major
- A Child Development Associate credential
Assistant Preschool Teacher
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Special Education Life Skills Instructional Assistant/ Early Childhood Special Education Jobid: 1972
Location:
EAST CENTRAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Job Announcement
Special Education Life Skills Instructional Assistant/Early Childhood Special Education
The position of a Special Education Life Skills Instructional Assistant/Early Childhood Special Education will be available at East Central ISD for the 2022-2023 school year. All individuals who are interested in this position must apply online through Frontline via the district website. The deadline for submitting an application is until the position is filled.
PRIMARY PURPOSE: Help meet physical and instructional needs of individual students with disabilities inside and outside the classroom. Assist with the implementation of Individual Education Plans , including self-help, behavior management, and instruction programs. Work under the general supervision of a principal and immediate direction of the certified teacher.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
Licenses Certifications And Registrations
Some states require preschool teachers to obtain the Child Development Associate credential offered by the Council for Professional Recognition. Obtaining the CDA credential requires coursework, experience in the field, a written exam, and observation of the candidate working with children. The CDA credential must be renewed every 3 years.
In public schools, preschool teachers must be licensed to teach early childhood education, which covers preschool through third grade. Requirements vary by state, but they generally require a bachelors degree and passing an exam to demonstrate competency. Most states require teachers to complete continuing education credits in order to maintain their license.
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Preschool Teacher Job Openings In Atlanta Metro Area
Job description: Passion to work with small kidsTeach them the basics and be affectionateSing nursery rhymes to the kids
Salary:
Job description: Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Essential Functions:Support the Early Childhood Instructor in daily tasks and routines in the early childhood educat
Salary:
Ece Career Pathways Grant
Earn your credentials at a lower cost
Early childhood educators are needed in preschools, infant and toddler programs, and early childhood centers. Our Career Pathways Grant opens new opportunities for you to earn your credentials at a reduced cost, take free courses to earn a Child Development Associate credential, and more.
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Top Early Childhood Education Degree Jobs
Now that you know what an ECE degree entails, you might be wondering, What can I do with an early childhood education degree? Outlined below are some of the top early childhood education jobs. Take a look at the educational requirements, a summary of responsibilities, and the average salary for each occupation to see which is right for you.
The Path To Higher Wages
The normal career path in early childhood education will generally follow an upward path of promotions. If you enter the industry on the ground level, you might start as an assistant teacher and improve your salary after you become a teacher, and then a lead teacher. Eventually, with more education and experience, you can advance to the role of director of a school or center. With greater responsibilities come greater financial rewards.
While finding an early childhood education job in a different city or state can offer you higher pay, you may not want to relocate. The now concluded Pre-K Now project suggests that teachers can also improve their wages with additional education or specialized training. Teachers sometimes begin their careers in a preschool with an associates degree in early childhood education. Those who hold bachelors degrees generally qualify to teach kindergarten through third grade. Teaching a higher-grade level typically results in a higher salary. Getting a masters degree or adding another endorsement onto your resume will also help, and may also open up more job opportunities.
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Preschool Teacher Jobs In Savannah Ga
What Is Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education is a broad term that describes the teaching of any child from birth through age eight. While it commonly refers to the education that takes place in the preschool years of a student’s life before reaching kindergarten age, early childhood educators might work with children beyond a typical preschool environment. The curriculum is designed around developing childrens cognitive, social and motor skills. In ECE, children focus on gaining the skills necessary for kindergarten readiness. Educators foster discovery and wonder in young children, building a foundation for the learning styles they’ll use well into adulthood.
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Become An Early Childhood Education Specialist With Gmercyu
Gwynedd Mercy University has an exceptional degree program for students who would like to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Early Education. Our unique Early Childhood Education program gives students hands-on classroom experience in their very first semester with our Teacher Apprenticeship Program . GMercyUs program also provides significant assistance when prospective early childhood educators begin looking for student teaching opportunities, and affiliated professors and administrators will help students earn their teaching certifications, as well. Take a look at our website for more information on our Early Education Program.
Indirect Ece Career Options
There are opportunities to apply your education, experience and expertise in early childhood education outside of a setting where you are working directly with children. This can be rewarding if you are looking to make a scope of impact that is wider than the number of children in a specific classroom or center. For example, some educators take an entrepreneurial route transitioning to a coaching or consulting role, helping cild care and early learning programs that are looking for expertise in the areas of business management or educational programming.
Many organizations and associations working in early childhood education are seeking the specialization of early childhood educators. For example, at HiMama, we have several early childhood educators on our team that play the role of Community Advisor, working with child care and early learning programs to help them streamline their operations and educational programming. Their background makes it much easier for them to relate to the challenges and pain points that administrators and teachers experience in the classroom.
There are many other early childhood education career path possibilities out there! This is just a small portion of the types of employment you may be interested in after earning an ECE degree.
Any other thoughts on rewarding careers in early childhood education? Join the conversation at @HiMamaSocial and make sure to sign up for updates from our HiMama Blog for updates on similar content in the future!
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Who Is It For
Individuals who wish to join or progress within the Early Childhood sector, to assess their career interest, identify relevant training programmes to upgrade their skills and prepare for the desired job roles.
Employers will be able to recognise these skills and invest in training their employees for career development and skills upgrading.
Training providers can gain insights on sector trends, existing and emerging skills that are in demand, and design programmes to address the industry needs accordingly.
What If I Have A Foreign Degree
Foreign degree transcripts must be evaluated by a service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators . For a full member list of evaluation services please visit: www.naces.org/members or www.aice-eval.org/members.
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Lead Preschool Teacher Salary In Atlanta Georgia
How much does a Lead Preschool Teacher make in Atlanta, GA? The average Lead Preschool Teacher salary in Atlanta, GA is $34,365 as of December 27, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $31,079 and $39,121. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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Jobs with a similar salary range to Lead Preschool Teacher :Oral Surgery Technician
| Percentile | |
| 10th Percentile Lead Preschool Teacher Salary | $28,088 |
| 25th Percentile Lead Preschool Teacher Salary | $31,079 |
| 50th Percentile Lead Preschool Teacher Salary | $34,365 |
| 75th Percentile Lead Preschool Teacher Salary | $39,121 |
| 90th Percentile Lead Preschool Teacher Salary | $43,452 |
Early Childhood Education Career Pathways Program
You may be eligible to receive scholarship or grant money to help pay for coursework toward your degree in Early Childhood Education!
Middlesex Community College is pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in the MA Early Education and Care Career Pathways Grant, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Education, which provides funding for students to engage in coursework that leads to the Child Development Associate credential, as well as MA EEC Teacher, Lead Teacher, Director I and Director II certifications. The grant provides funding for:
- College tuition
- Tutoring services
- Academic and career advising
- Developmental courses in reading, writing, and math
- Targeted English Speakers of Other Languages courses at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.
- Courses are delivered through a variety of modalities including weekend schedules, hybrid, online, and traditional face-to-face options.
Grant Eligibility:Individuals participating in educational opportunities funded by the ECE Career Pathways Grant initiatives are required to demonstrate a commitment to working in the field of early education and out-of-school time. In order to be eligible for funding through the grant participants need to:
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Not Just Entry Level: What To Do Next
Teachers with advanced degrees and work experience in early childhood education might want to advance their careers in the following ways:
- Manage or own a daycare center
- Direct a group of daycare centers or preschools
- Work as public or private researchers
- Teach the next generation of early childhood educators
For more information on early childhood education studies, read our article on early childhood degrees.
How To Become An Early Childhood Educator
The first step to becoming an early childhood educator is to narrow down the occupations that interest you in the field. This decision will help set your academic goals since many of these jobs have different educational requirements. Previous experience, personal interest, desired workplace environment, and financial goals are all important to making decisions about the occupation youd like to earn. Based on the occupations above, it seems as though the most versatile degree is a bachelors degree in early childhood education. Its a requirement in several positions, and it will be beneficial to you when applying to any position that involves working with children. It may not be a requirement to be a preschool teacher, but it will set you apart from other applicants. That degree would have the same effect when competing for work as a nanny or as a childcare worker. If youd like to have a more managerial role, like Day Care Center Director, or a more specialized role, such as a school counselor, a higher degree will be helpful. It may even be required. After you decide on the degree youd like to pursue, the next step would be to look for higher education institutions that offer that degree program.
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Complete The Appropriate Induction Program
You must complete an induction program to become certified to teach preschool in Georgia. Your induction pathway will differ depending on the preparation program you completed:
- Pathway 1: If you have completed an approved educator preparation program in the State of Georgia, you must:
- Receive a passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment
- Receive a passing score on the edTPA content pedagogy assessment
- Complete a course in identifying and educating exceptional children
Information about the GACE, including preparing to take the appropriate examinations, can be found here. Information on registration, test centers, and dates can be found here.
The Importance Of Early Learning
The heart of CVs curriculum is rooted in neuroscience. The first five years of a childs life is a critical period for both biological and cognitive development. By the age of two, a childs brain contains twice as many neurological synapses and consumes twice as much energy as an adult brain! Neuroscience also confirms what wires a childs brain during this time frame is repeated experiences and rich experiences produce rich brains.
CV is so much more than just a daycare. No detail has been overlooked in our quest to provide children with an early learning education that stimulates whole child development.
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