Anonymous wrote:I hold a postgraduate degree in finance, but I've been unable to find a job for a couple of months now. DH suggests I take this opportunity to do something I'm passionate about - that's reaching out to/teaching preschoolers. We have a 2-year old, and I'm very interested in the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori approach. However, since RE does not have any certified courses in the US, I'm thinking of doing a diploma in Montessori education. However, interest aside, I'm not sure what job opportunities would be open, since i don't have a degree in Early Childhood Education, nor any prior experience in preschool teaching. Would it be something that's practical?Or should i just focus on looking for a job in the finance field?

I taught early childhood for many years, I now teach older kids, and it can be a rewarding career, although a seriously underpaid one. However, I don't understand how someone could find both Reggio Emilia and Montessori appealing. They're both Italian, and they both have an emphasis on beautiful materials, but other than that they're very very different, and come from very very different beliefs about what children need and how children learn. I think you need to figure out what you actually believe, and what your personal style is as a teacher, and then decide if you want to specialize.

If you're interested in the field, I might start by putting your child in a high quality co-op so you could go with him and learn from a good teacher. If you tell us where you live, we can give you names of options. I'd also think about getting a 90 hour credential through Montgomery College, UDC, or NOVA.

Then you can decide whether the field is for you, and what further education to pursue. If what you earn is important, I'd look at a program that leads to an M.A.T., and will certify you to work in a public school since those jobs pay by far the best. You might also see if special education appeals to you, as there are often good jobs available there.

Good luck!

P.S. Look hard at pay, and make sure you're willing to work for those salaries. When I talk about "good pay" in public schools, I'm talking about $40K or so to start with a master's. Working in a private Montessori or Reggio will pay significantly less than that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hold a postgraduate degree in finance, but I've been unable to find a job for a couple of months now. DH suggests I take this opportunity to do something I'm passionate about - that's reaching out to/teaching preschoolers. We have a 2-year old, and I'm very interested in the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori approach. However, since RE does not have any certified courses in the US, I'm thinking of doing a diploma in Montessori education. However, interest aside, I'm not sure what job opportunities would be open, since i don't have a degree in Early Childhood Education, nor any prior experience in preschool teaching. Would it be something that's practical?Or should i just focus on looking for a job in the finance field?

Hello,
I understand its been a long time since this discussion was active. I am in a similar situation today. May I know how did you go about it and were you able to transit to Early Childhood Education sector?

Thanks!

PP here--Adding for your both that the AMI certification program requires nothing other than a Bachelor's degree in any subject and a benchmark GPA requirement (3.0, I think?). There is no expectation that you have worked with children before. That said, I strongly encourage you to work with children before spending the money and time for this training. Knowing if you can handle being around 20-30 preschool children day after day is a big question that you should try your best to answer before you sign up. Children are very annoying. Very. And parents can be, too. That said, I strongly believe AMI Montessori is the best environment for educating children.

Anonymous wrote:Before you sign up for any program, you need to do an informational interview of current Montessori teachers and other preschool teachers. The AMI certification is a multi year and expensive commitment. Being out of work for a few months doesn't make this the default option.

This is not quite correct. The AMI certification is a year-long Master's degree program similar to a MAT program for folks who wish to become teachers after obtaining their Bachelor's degree. The AMI program is a full calendar year, from August to August. Teachers begin work the month they graduate (August). My spouse did this training and has worked steadily since, entering year 17.

There is another option, which is a three-year summer AMI certification program. This allows assistants or non-certified teachers to obtain their certification while working during the school year. There are a few weeks of work during the academic year for observations and practice teaching, and you would have to work with the school to get time off for that.

Right now, those are the options around the globe for AMI training.

Anonymous wrote:I hold a postgraduate degree in finance, but I've been unable to find a job for a couple of months now. DH suggests I take this opportunity to do something I'm passionate about - that's reaching out to/teaching preschoolers. We have a 2-year old, and I'm very interested in the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori approach. However, since RE does not have any certified courses in the US, I'm thinking of doing a diploma in Montessori education. However, interest aside, I'm not sure what job opportunities would be open, since i don't have a degree in Early Childhood Education, nor any prior experience in preschool teaching. Would it be something that's practical?Or should i just focus on looking for a job in the finance field?

Hello,
I understand its been a long time since this discussion was active. I am in a similar situation today. May I know how did you go about it and were you able to transit to Early Childhood Education sector?

Thanks!

FYI: I have 20 years teaching experience. Most of those years working in a Montessori school. I am AMS certified. I make $50,000---benefits are good, and I have a good retirement plan. How I wish I was paid more, though!! I love my job. Maybe you could sub in a school before you commit to the training? AMS is less training than AMI, however, it is also rigorous and time consuming. There are no short cuts! Each school (classroom!) is vastly different from each other. It is important to find a good fit. I have also taught Reggio for 2 years. I am less passionate about it, but feel it is a good program. As I always say, the classroom/philosophy is only as good as the teacher.

Anonymous wrote:I hold a postgraduate degree in finance, but I've been unable to find a job for a couple of months now. DH suggests I take this opportunity to do something I'm passionate about - that's reaching out to/teaching preschoolers. We have a 2-year old, and I'm very interested in the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori approach. However, since RE does not have any certified courses in the US, I'm thinking of doing a diploma in Montessori education. However, interest aside, I'm not sure what job opportunities would be open, since i don't have a degree in Early Childhood Education, nor any prior experience in preschool teaching. Would it be something that's practical?Or should i just focus on looking for a job in the finance field?

Both of our kids went to a Montessori school that we love. Every classroom has a directress (teacher) and an assistant. Frequently the assistants did not have Montessori training before working at the school, but are very interested in the Montessori method. After working as an assistant for a year or more and deciding that it's the path they want to take they leave to get their certification. I think the school sometimes helps pay for their training if they agree to return and teach at the school.

In your shoes I think I would look to work as an assistant or even take an admin position at a school that would allow me to be in the classroom on a regular basis and perhaps sub as assistant if there are no classroom positions available. Then decide if it's worth pursuing further education.

sorry should have added, in the early years, teaching is secondary, basic care giving is first, so you really need to enjoying the care giving activities for the preschool set first and foremost. This is true even in preschool programs that are half day.

Have you ever taught in an early childhood setting? If not, you should do it for a year and then decide what you want to do.

I would also look into the pay before committing to this. Pay for Early Childhood educators (even some of the great schools) is notoriously low.

Before you sign up for any program, you need to do an informational interview of current Montessori teachers and other preschool teachers. The AMI certification is a multi year and expensive commitment. Being out of work for a few months doesn't make this the default option.

I hold a postgraduate degree in finance, but I've been unable to find a job for a couple of months now. DH suggests I take this opportunity to do something I'm passionate about - that's reaching out to/teaching preschoolers. We have a 2-year old, and I'm very interested in the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori approach. However, since RE does not have any certified courses in the US, I'm thinking of doing a diploma in Montessori education. However, interest aside, I'm not sure what job opportunities would be open, since i don't have a degree in Early Childhood Education, nor any prior experience in preschool teaching. Would it be something that's practical?Or should i just focus on looking for a job in the finance field?