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Embarking on a career as a preschool teacher in Georgia entails fulfilling specific prerequisites as outlined by the Department of Early Care and Learning, along with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. These bodies have set forth stringent regulations to ensure that only the most qualified individuals get the chance to shape the formative years of the state’s youngest learners.

The Role of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)

Responsible for the state’s pre-kindergarten initiative, known as Bright from the Start, the DECAL is instrumental in organizing voluntary and lottery-funded educational structures for four-year-olds in Georgia. The program is designed to facilitate early learning and development, preparing children for a successful academic journey.

For the fiscal year 2017, Bright from the Start funneled an impressive $358 million into state pre-K programs, in turn opening up openings for approximately 84,000 students across the state. Despite these numbers, the DECAL approximates that their programs only reach about 60 percent of the state’s four-year-old population. The existence of a waitlist consisting of 5,000 prospective preschoolers is testament to the untapped demand.

The Call for Skilled Preschool Professionals

As the need for professionally trained preschool teachers continues to surge, it falls to future preschool educators to devote their skills and time to this cause. Your role as a prospective preschool teacher in Georgia extends far beyond lesson planning and classroom management. You have the power to impart lifelong learning skills, shape the future of budding learners, and provide invaluable support to Georgia families.

The journey to becoming a successful preschool teacher requires more than just a solid academic foundation. It takes the right mindset, punctuated by patience and perseverance. With these qualities, you can carve out a rewarding career path, while significantly impacting the lives of Georgia’s youngest residents.

Step 1. Charting Your Path to Becoming a Preschool Teacher in Georgia

Aspiring to be a preschool teacher in Georgia? You’ll need to navigate a series of prerequisites outlined by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and the Department of Early Care and Learning – entities that uphold the highest standards to ensure only the qualified candidates mold the youngest minds of the state.

The Initial Certification Journey

Your first step involves completing a GaPSC-approved education preparation program. This program includes a practicum, field experience, or student teaching within a Georgia-based academic institution. Here’s a look at the types of approved programs:

  • A bachelor’s degree program for those who are yet to earn a bachelor’s degree – a basic requirement to be a lead preschool teacher in Georgia;
  • Advanced degree programs such as Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, or a Master of Arts for those who hold a bachelor’s degree but lack the initial certification requirements;
  • Certificate-only program for those with a bachelor’s degree who are yet to complete the requirements for initial certification. This program typically has fewer coursework and requirements than a master’s degree program.

Locate an approved list of teacher preparation programs on the GaPSC website.

Recognized Majors for Early Childhood Education (ECE)

There are a range of majors related to Early Childhood Education recognized by the Department of Early Care and Learning for prospective lead preschool teachers:

  • Birth through Five;
  • Child and Family Development;
  • Child Development;
  • Early Childhood/Special Education;
  • Early Childhood Care and Education;
  • Early Childhood Development;
  • Early Childhood Education;
  • Elementary Education;
  • Family and Consumer Science;
  • Infant and child development;
  • Special education.

The Department of Early Care and Learning also acknowledges degrees in psychology or social work. However, these should include at least one of the following:

  • An associate degree in early childhood education;
  • A Montessori diploma;
  • A technical college diploma with a major in ECE;
  • A technical certificate of credit with a major in ECE;
  • A Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

For anyone holding a non-early childhood education degree, you should have completed at least 15 semester hours or 25-quarter hours of ECE-related coursework within the non-ECE degree.

Becoming an Assistant Preschool Teacher

In Georgia, you also have the option of serving as an assistant preschool teacher. Just ensure you possess at least one of the following:

  • A technical college diploma in ECE;
  • A technical certificate of credit with a major in ECE;
  • A specialist degree or PhD;
  • A paraprofessional certificate issued by GaPSC;
  • A master’s degree (MA, MS);
  • A Georgia teacher certificate;
  • A CDA credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.
  • A bachelor’s degree (BA, BS);
  • An associate degree (AA, AS, AAS, AAT).

Step 2. Secondary Steps to Preschool Certification in Georgia

Upon completion of a GaPSC-approved educator preparation program, your journey to earning a preschool teaching certification in Georgia isn’t complete. You still need to navigate through a requisite induction program. The nature of this induction program is contingent on the preparation program you initially pursued.

Induction Pathway One: For In-State Program Completers

If you’re a graduate of an approved educator preparation program based in Georgia, the journey to certification requires you to:

  • Pass the GACE Program Admission Assessment, or present proof of exemption from this assessment;
  • Achieve a passing score in the Early Childhood Education content assessment under the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE);
  • Pass the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – a requirement instituted in January 2015;
  • Receive a passing score in the edTPA content pedagogy assessment, a requirement effective from September 2015 onward.

For Out-of-State Program Completers with Georgia Student Teaching Experience

If you have completed an educator preparation program outside Georgia’s boundaries but conducted your student teaching in a Georgia school, your induction pathway will require you to:

  • Pass the Early Childhood Education content assessment under GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators);
  • Achieve a passing score in the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – a mandate in effect since January 2015;
  • Pass the edTPA content pedagogy assessment – a requirement instituted from September 2015;
  • Complete a course on identifying and educating exceptional children.

Induction Pathway Three: For Preschool Teachers Employed Prior to Completion of Preparation Program

If you have already started teaching preschool in Georgia before wrapping up your educator preparation program, you must:

  • Pass the GACE Program Admission Assessment or provide proof of exemption from this assessment;
  • Achieve a passing score in the GACE Early Childhood Education content assessment;
  • Pass the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – a requirement since January 2015;
  • Receive a passing score on the edTPA content pedagogy assessment – a requirement since September 2015.

Step 3. Application for Induction and Professional Certification

Once you have fulfilled every requirement of the corresponding induction pathway, the next logical step is applying for your Induction Certificate. This certificate qualifies you to teach preschool in Georgia and remains valid for three years.

To upgrade your Induction Certificate into a Professional Certificate, you need to accumulate three years of relevant work experience. A Professional Certificate lasts for five years and can be renewed. If for any reason, you are unable to fulfill this professional requirement, know that you have the option to renew your Induction Certificate. Here are the necessary steps to apply for an Induction Certificate:

  1. Fill out and submit the Application for Certification;
  2. Complete the Verification of Lawful Presence Documentation form and have it notarized;
  3. Request your university or college to send your official transcripts to the GaPSC;
  4. Complete the Employer Assurance Form.

Are you prepared to kickstart your career as a preschool teacher with a bachelor’s degree in ECE? Or perhaps, you’re considering stepping up your game with a master’s degree in ECE? Our extensive list of ECE degrees by State at various levels could help you decide which program is the perfect fit for you.

Teacher teaching music to a group of preschool children

Step 4. Embark on Pre-K Child Assessment Training

For preschool teachers new to the Georgia Pre-K Program, an essential step in your journey is completing the state’s Pre-K Child Assessment Training. This requirement comes as part of the initiation program known as the New Teacher Institute.

During this training, you’ll dig deeper into understanding child development and how assessments play a pivotal role in shaping your teaching strategies and curriculum. The training puts a strong focus on documentation, teaching you the nuances of data gathering and its significance in the preschool setting.

This practical, hands-on training aims to equip new teachers with the ability to conduct effective child assessments. The gathered documentation might encompass:

  • Observational notes: These are records of what a teacher observes a child doing in the course of the school day. They provide valuable insights into a child’s developmental progress, interests, skills, and social interactions;
  • Work samples: These include drawings, writings, and other creations that demonstrate a child’s skills, creativity, understanding, and progress. Work samples are tangible evidence of learning and serve as a window into a child’s cognitive development;
  • Photos: Photographs can capture moments and experiences that paint a broader picture of a child’s developmental journey. They can be particularly useful for showcasing physical development, social interactions, and creativity.

Step 5. Upholding Your Preschool Teaching Certification

Your journey doesn’t end with obtaining your teaching certification. A crucial part of your career as a preschool teacher in Georgia is ensuring your certificate remains valid. This is achieved by consistently improving your skills and knowledge in the field by engaging in various forms of professional development.

To maintain your Georgia preschool teacher certification, you are required to complete at least one of these approved professional development activities:

  • Successfully finish 6 semester hours of college coursework, ensuring you maintain a grade of ‘C’ or higher;
  • Secure 10 Georgia Professional Learning Units, a state’s measure of a professional learning activity’s worth;
  • Complete 10 continuing education units issued by a GaPSC-approved institution or a provider authorized by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Details of your chosen professional advancement activity should be meticulously documented and preserved. This information proves invaluable during the renewal of your educator certification.

The teacher watches the children draw

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 (median, top 25%, and top 10%):

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;
  • Primrose School;
  • Sandy Springs United Methodist Preschool;
  • Apostles Learning Center;
  • The Schiff School;
  • The Goddard School;
  • Roswell Presbyterian Preschool;
  • The Children’s Garden Preschool;
  • Inman Park Cooperative Preschool;
  • Ahava Early Learning Center;
  • La Petite Academy;
  • The Suzuki School.

Preschool teachers in the greater Atlanta area offer preschool teachers, early childhood special educators, and administrators salaries that fall within these ranges:

Preschool Administrators

  • Median – $44,950;
  • 75th Percentile – $58,040;
  • 90th Percentile – $63,660.

Preschool Teachers

  • Median – $28,790;
  • 75th Percentile – $35,730;
  • 90th Percentile – $43,700.

Special Education Preschool Teachers

  • Median – $48,100;
  • 75th Percentile – $59,120;
  • 90th Percentile – $65,340.

Augusta

Although Atlanta offers higher wages for preschool teachers, the gap with Augusta is not large, and administrators here top out at almost $10,000 per year more than their big-city counterparts.

  • Richmond County School System;
  • Deansbridge Head Start;
  • Open Door Preschool;
  • First Baptist Preschool;
  • Big Blue Marble Academy;
  • Pathway Head Start.

Preschools in Augusta pay teachers and administrators salaries within these ranges:

Preschool Administrators

  • Median – $37,900;
  • 75th Percentile – $53,130;
  • 90th Percentile – $73,620.

Preschool Teachers

  • Median – $27,090;
  • 75th Percentile – $34,140;
  • 90th Percentile – $42,310.

Savannah

Like many Georgia counties, many of the preschool services in Savannah or through faith-based organizations.

  • Savannah-Chatham County Public School System;
  • First Presbyterian Preschool;
  • AJ Ward Montessori School;
  • First Christian Preschool;
  • Savannah Montessori Academy.

At preschools in Savannah, teachers and administrators can expect to earn salaries within these ranges:

Preschool Administrators

  • Median – $45,980;
  • 75th Percentile – $55,120;
  • 90th Percentile – $68,660.

Preschool Teachers

  • Median – $26,590;
  • 75th Percentile – $30,990;
  • 90th Percentile – $41,580.

Columbus

In addition to the public pre-K programs offered by the Muscogee County schools, there are a large number of faith-based preschool programs in the Columbus area:

  • Muscogee County School District;
  • Mark Preschool;
  • One Magical Place;
  • Grace Christian School;
  • Calvary Christian School.

Conclusion

Your journey to becoming and remaining a certified preschool teacher in Georgia is one of constant learning and growth. From acquiring your initial certification to keeping it valid via professional development, each step enhances your abilities to provide exceptional educational experiences for the youngest learners of Georgia.

Remember, your dedication to continual learning underpins the quality of education you provide. By ensuring the upkeep of your certification, you validate your commitment to your profession, your students, and to delivering education that meets the highest standards.