What it takes to be a teacher at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S
There are many different skills, personality traits and areas of expertise that we are looking for in a teacher team member at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S.
Top 3 Qualities in a Teacher
Empathetic. Passionate. Communicative
There are so many more qualities that are key for a teacher and it wasn’t easy to narrow these down to the top 3 but I believe that the above three words encompass a lot that would make a great teacher. I look forward to breaking those down more to what they believe to us at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S and how we look forward to seeing them in action. For example, safety is definitely of utmost importance to use, but we didn’t list “safety trained” in the above top 3. Why not? If you are communicative, you will be watching out and always discussing situations that need additional care or even reaching out for an additional hand or two when needed. If you are passionate about children and helping them learn, you will be attuned to their safety and keep that top-of-mind.
Educational Requirements for a Teacher
Please make sure to review the WI Department of Children and Families Administrative Code 251 website for their requirements of a teacher. As of May 24, 2024, the following is required:
- High school diploma or its equivalent
- Have at least 240 hours of experience as an assistant child care teacher in a group child care center, as a licensed family child care provider, or in another approved early childhood setting.
- Prior to assuming the position, a person hired to be a child care teacher shall complete or obtain one of the following:
- Four credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
- Two non-credit department-approved courses in early childhood education.
- Two credits in early childhood education and one noncredit department-approved course in early childhood education.
- A certificate from the Wisconsin Registry indicating that the person is qualified as a child care teacher.
- The Registry Preschool Credential.
- The Registry Infant Toddler Credential.
- Forty-eight credits from an institution of higher education with at least 3 credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
- A one-year child care diploma in child care or early childhood education from an institution of higher education.
- An associate degree in early childhood education or child care from an institution of higher education.
- A Child Development Associate credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.
- Certificate from American Montessori Society, Association Montessori International, or Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education.
- A license issued by the Wisconsin department of public instruction or the appropriate authority in another state to be a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or early childhood regular or special education teacher. The license may not be a one-year license with stipulations (formerly known as an emergency license); a 3-year, short-term substitute license; or a 5-year long-term substitute license, as defined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
- A certificate from the department of workforce development, bureau of apprenticeship standards, as a child development specialist.
Training Requirements for a Teacher
In Wisconsin and at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’S, it is required that you have additional training on policies, procedures, and safety measures. These are covered in our Team Member Onboarding.
Continuing Education for a Teacher
Continuing Education is required each year for teachers. But you aren’t alone! We will help you obtain this and make sure that you have the time to complete it. That’s at least fifteen hours a year and you will be offered a variety of different topics aligned to your needs and interest to accomplish that.