Childhood Education

[KyleH]

Hi everyone,

So I've been out of the game for a while and a lot's changed since I was last on, I'm guessing. My girlfriend is fairly enthused with the route I took for my BA and, I'll admit, is better at taking tests than me (don't tell her I said that!). She is very passionate about teaching children and wants to get a BA in Childhood Education. She's looked at some online schools (Kaplan specifically), but isn't finding anything super great and not sketchy (Kaplan seems sketchy based on a quick Google search, but if anyone can tell me wrong, I'll listen).

I'm almost ready to just suggest getting the BA in Liberal Studies or Psychology with the AA in Childhood Education from her Community College, or else go to a brick & mortar that has what she's looking for. She may go on to an MA somewhere, but that is still yet to be seen. She'd also almost definitely be getting her teaching credentials. Any advice on this would be very much appreciate!

Hope everyone's doing well here!

Kyle

[Lindagerr]

My advice would be NOT to get a diploma without the teaching certification, it is too time consuming and money consuming to then go on, at least in most states. I don't know what state you live in but most states will accept the certification offered by Western Governors University. I was doing the prerequisites to get my MAT with them so I could get fully certified to teach. I changed my mind because of my age and the possibility of a poor return on investment. WGU seems to be an up and coming school in the teaching area with a reasonable price, they are RA and competency based but some on here have reported good experiences with them. They will usually accept all or most of the transfer credits that TESC does except for FEMA.

In NJ I had done most of the requirements to get my certification in 3 areas, I was eligable to get a job as a teacher and just have mentoring for a couple of years. I came to NY and I have to start from scratch so I have given up.

Before your girlfriend enrolls in a teacher education program I highly recommend she find out the requirements to substitue teach in your area. I have know many people who have either started or finished a teaching degree and then finding out they hate teaching. The good parts are being with the kids and the rewards you get just seeing a kids eyes light up when a concept gets through. The down side is difficult children, uninvolved or over involved parents, Paperwork and regulations like crazy and worst of all always being afraid to touch a child even by accident in such a way as to be judged inappropriate. I love children and want to hug them when they are hurt or sad, but I couldn't. One friend of mine was reported as cursing at a child, only that child reported or collaborated it but she was fired on the spot (She was only a sub, but she deserved a chance to respond)

So I am not saying don't do it I just think she needs to really investigate the requirement for alternative certification if she wants to go that route and also look into WGU.

[publius2k4]

Hi everyone,

So I've been out of the game for a while and a lot's changed since I was last on, I'm guessing. My girlfriend is fairly enthused with the route I took for my BA and, I'll admit, is better at taking tests than me (don't tell her I said that!). She is very passionate about teaching children and wants to get a BA in Childhood Education. She's looked at some online schools (Kaplan specifically), but isn't finding anything super great and not sketchy (Kaplan seems sketchy based on a quick Google search, but if anyone can tell me wrong, I'll listen).

I'm almost ready to just suggest getting the BA in Liberal Studies or Psychology with the AA in Childhood Education from her Community College, or else go to a brick & mortar that has what she's looking for. She may go on to an MA somewhere, but that is still yet to be seen. She'd also almost definitely be getting her teaching credentials. Any advice on this would be very much appreciate!

Hope everyone's doing well here!

Kyle

Has she looked into Western Governors University? WGU is fully online, is way more affordable than Kaplan, and has a fantastic Teacher's College.

Check them out. They're teacher education program is accepted in all 50 states (according to their website).

WGU Teachers College| Online Teaching Degree | The University of You