Preschool teachers are professionals making a positive difference in our nation’s youngest students. They introduce academic fundamentals while helping children develop their cognitive, social, and physical skills. It is a creative and active role. Children are full of discovery and love at this young age and eager to participate in activities.
The average annual preschool teacher salary in Indiana as of May 2023 is $34,770. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
In this guide, Teachers of Tomorrow will review the preschool salaries in various Indiana school settings. We’ll also provide the steps required to become a certified preschool teacher and available alternative teacher certification options.
What is a Preschool School Teacher?
A preschool school teacher in Indiana works with learners not ready for kindergarten. Those attending PreK are typically 4 years old. Students at this level undergo rapid development and require guidance to develop their social, cognitive, and physical skills. Many lessons are done through play, crafts, songs, and fun activities.
Becoming a successful preschool school teacher requires cultivating the following skills:
- Nurturing: Young students still need a warm environment, much like what parents and caregivers provide. They respond well to kindness, patience, empathy, and compassion.
- Creativity: Short attention spans require lessons to be fresh and engaging.
- Communication skills: Preschoolers are still developing their language and listening skills. They need clear communication, or they may become confused or distracted. In addition, preschool teachers need to be able to switch gears in order to effectively listen and speak to parents and coworkers.
Preschool school teachers have many responsibilities within their classrooms. These include:
- Creating and implementing engaging lesson plans.
- Assessing students’ development in all areas in addition to academic learning.
- Provide a warm, productive, fun, and safe learning environment.
- Keep parents and caregivers up-to-date with their child’s progress.
How Much Do Preschool School Teachers in Indiana Make?
The average annual salaries for preschool school teachers in Indiana as of May 2023
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Highest salary – $44,140
- Average salary – $33,970
- Lowest salary – $27,450
Preschool school salaries in Indiana vary depending on certain factors:
- Teacher’s experience
- Teacher’s qualifications and special skills
- Location of the school
- Type of school (i.e., public, private, charter)
How to Become a Preschool School Teacher in Indiana
The requirements for becoming a preschool teacher vary around the country. In Indiana, preschool teachers can find work with only an associate’s degree in early childhood education and CPR training.
The higher-paying preschool jobs that come with career advancement opportunities require a bachelor’s degree.
According to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), the following steps are required to become a fully licensed teacher for PreK-3 certification.
1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If you attend an Indiana-accredited college or university and study early childhood education, the teacher preparation component is part of the course.
Or
Obtain a bachelor’s degree with a 2.50 on a 4.0 scale and five years of relevant professional experience. Experience can be obtained through being a substitute teacher.
OR
Obtain a bachelor’s degree from a local university and pass state-approved teaching tests.
2. Attend an approved teacher preparation program. Choose an IDOE-approved provider. However, most candidates use the one provided by their college or university.
3. Pass the required exams. Candidates must take the required exams for a PreK-3.
4. Obtain CPR/AED/Heimlich certification: Candidates must use an IDOE-approved provider, such as the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. A valid certificate is required when applying for certification.
5. Attend Suicide Prevention Training. Candidates must use an IDOE-approved provider and obtain a certificate that will be included in the certification application.
6. State and federal background checks. Candidates must submit fingerprints through Indiana’s electronic Fingerprinting Network (INKless).
7. Apply for your license. See IDOE’s step-by-step instructions and pay the licensing fees.
Once you have obtained your teaching license, you can apply for teaching positions in Indiana. You can look at school district websites, education job fairs, and openings on job boards such as ZipRecruiter and Indeed.
Alternative Route to Certification for Preschool School Teachers
Indiana’s alternative route to certification is done through its Transition to Teaching program providers. Transition to Teaching is for candidates who already have an accredited bachelor’s degree. Preschool candidates can teach for pay while completing their training requirements while on a three-year, non-renewable T2T permit.
The steps to take part in the Transition to Teaching include:
- Already have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and the official transcripts.
- Complete the application and interview.
- Receive the Indiana Teachers Letter of Acceptance.
- Get hired as a preschool teacher in an Indiana school.
- Work with an advisor.
- Complete the Classroom Readiness Training and Field-Based Experience.
- Obtain CPR/AED/Heimlich certification.
- Obtain Suicide Prevention certification.
- Apply for your Transition to Teaching permit using the IDOE’s step-by-step instructions.
- Teach for two years on the T2T permit, completing the Practitioner License requirements in the first year.
- Pass required exams.
- Complete two years of teaching.
- Obtain a recommendation from the Building Level Administrator and Field Supervisor at the end of your Internship Year.
- Submit documentation and coursework to IDOE to obtain the Indiana Practitioner License.
What is the Highest and Lowest Paying Preschool School Teaching Job?
As a certified preschool school teacher in Indiana, you can work in various settings:
- Special education: These positions are in high demand, and the teaching shortage has increased the scarcity. The result is special education often pays the best. However, be aware that extra training is required to qualify as an early childhood special education teacher.
- Private schools: Preschool teachers find some of the best-paying jobs in the private sector, unlike kindergarten and above. Private preschools often provide other perks to families, such as daycare and aftercare, making it easier for working parents.
- Public schools: Indiana doesn’t make school compulsory until a child is 7, so not all public schools have the space or budget to provide it. Thus, those that do often pay their PreK teachers significantly less than the kindergarten teachers.
- Charter schools: Indiana’s charter schools receive less funding than their public schools, reducing teacher pay across the board.
- Online teaching: Online teaching is not as in demand for preschool as it is for higher grades, which makes these positions hard to find and lower in pay. However, they often have perks such as flexible hours.
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