Qualifications of Preschool Teachers

The article "Qualifications of Preschool Teachers:  A Hot Issue in Our Field," in the November/December issue of Exchange, reported reactions to an Exchange Insta Poll on "Qualifications of Effective Teachers" in which "Nurturing Personality" was the highest ranked item, followed by "Love of Children" and "BA in Early Childhood Education."  Here are a few of the reactions.  You can view the complete article by clicking on the title above.

"I assume that when one is attracted to any field, certain intrinsic individual qualities exist that propel that person to seek a position... thus, ‘loving children’ or ‘having a nurturing personality’ are givens for me.  Having a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood and working under the supervision of a highly-skilled professional are most important.  The workshops and additional trainings that reflect current best practice bolster that foundation.” — Kathryn Keene, WMCC, Berlin, New Hampshire 

“In the words of Marian Wright Edelman, ‘You can have the best equipped school, smallest class size, and a great curriculum, but if teachers... do not love children, children will know it — and be hurt’.” — Kayren Woolum, Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, Defiance, Ohio

“The qualities I found missing in the list of choices were the habits of being a lifelong learner, passionate curiosity, problem-solving behaviors, and open-mindedness.  If we wish to provide the rigorous learning environments that truly nurture whole children — their hands, heads, and hearts — we must see ourselves as learners first and teachers second.”  — Holly Hartman, Presbyterian Preschool, Stillwater, Oklahoma

“I was not surprised to see most of these qualifications on the list and would largely agree.  I was surprised, however, not to see ‘sense of humour’ on the list!  For me, it is an essential qualification to teach young children.”  — Heino Schonfeld, CES, Dublin, Ireland

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