Rough Draft Peer Review

[Jennifer Smith]

Could you all help me out with some feedback? (I copied and pasted so it's not formatted very well, but I need feedback on the content anyway.)

This is for my English class. Thanks!


The Early Childhood Educator

Preschool is more than just daycare for busy parents of three- to

five-year olds, much more than many people realize. What makes the

difference are caring, committed preschool teachers with a desire to see

their young students blossom and grow, not just

academically, but socially and in every area of interest and ability.

Teachers who provide

an interesting and stimulating environment for their students to explore, play and discover

in, who plan creative, age-appropriate lessons and activities, and who give individual help

and attention where it is needed, are effective Early Childhood Educators.

The duties of an Early Childhood Educator are many and varied, (1) and require a

unique skill set. A preschool teacher is a public speaker, making classroom presentations,

preparing visuals and well-planned lessons to help catch each child’s interest. An ECE

teacher also becomes a recreation director, planning games and activities to help the

children develop gross motor skills. When possible, an ECE teacher is an artist, planning

arts and crafts to inspire creative development in their students. An ECE educator may be

skilled dramatically, using effective storytelling techniques to engage their young listeners.

Possessing musical talent is also helpful, as an ECE teacher uses songs, rhymes, and hand

or body movements to help children during transition times, and to reinforce key concepts.

An ECE teacher is a diplomat, understanding cultural differences and tactfully conducting

conferences with parents, also giving them the help, support, and information they need to

support the learning and development process at home. They must learn to work

cooperatively with other teachers, who may have a different style or philosophy of

teaching.


And, if all of these were not enough, duties of the ECE teacher also include record

keeping; evaluating and recording the progress, attendance, and areas of need of each of

their students. ECE teachers are also responsible for planning and set-up of an effective

room design(3), providing puzzles, toys for dramatic play, and manipulatives, which

should be changed frequently. Frequently, an ECE teacher becomes a tutor, providing

individual assistance to struggling students in weak areas. In today’s busy society, at times,

they must also unfortunately, substitute as a parent, giving encouragement, positive

attention and discipline to unruly or neglected children. In dealing with special needs

children, including those with learning disabilities, developmental delays, autism,

behavioral or emotional problems, they must educate themselves and be understanding.

Donna Minton, Education Director at Floyd County Head Start, stated that a preschool

teacher should possess patience in great measure, and should have the skill of adapting well

to change. The philosophies and procedures of teaching young children are constantly

changing, and so an ECE teacher must also be an effective learner or student.

The educational requirements for becoming a professional ECE teacher are changing,

and more education is often being required. Requirements for public preschool may be

lower than for private preschools. Many Early Childhood educators begin at entry level in

daycare facilities and gain experience and training enough to interest them in pursuing

more education and advancement. A scholarship program called Teach is often available to

those already working in the field, and can help with tuition and textbooks, as well as gas

reimbursement and paid time off from work for studies. They may decide to obtain a Child

Development Associate (CDA) credential, (12 credit hours of studies, with some

classroom experience), an Associates Degree, or Bachelors Degree. Beyond the Bachelor’s

Degree, an additional certification is sometimes required from a nation-wide

organization. (1)


Although the skills and requirements may be many, there are a few saving graces that may

make the preschool teacher’s load lighter. Preschool teachers usually have small classes¸ or

volunteer support (compliance with state daycare licensing teacher-child ratios is

required), shorter school days (three to five hours is common), and more lesson planning

time, since preschool is usually scheduled fewer than five days a week, leaving the other

weekdays available to teachers.

The rewards of a career in Early Childhood Education are often intangible, which is to

say that the average salary is not remarkably high for preschool teachers. However a
teacher who enjoys the fulfillment of his or her work in teaching may not be deterred.
The median wage for a preschool teacher is approximately $10.91

hourly, or $22,680 per year presently, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Job prospects are also expected to be favorable in the near future, with many positions

opening resulting from Baby Boomer generation teachers retiring in the next decade,

and because of newly employed teachers who decide to switch to other careers.

The philosophies of Early Childhood Education in America are rapidly changing. The

value we are beginning to place as a nation on having children and on effectively helping

them to develop is causing us to look at the importance and methods of preschool in a new

light, and with more information that has been gathered over the past 75 years. (3)

Philosophies of highly successful preschools in other nations are being introduced

in many American preschools, as we rethink and redevelop greater and better ideals for our

preschool programs for the future. Now more than ever, preschool is becoming much more

than daycare. Early Childhood educators in the 21st century, armed with purpose,

knowledge, patience, and adaptability, have a lot to look forward to.










Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm (retrieved January 26, 2008).

Colker, L.J., Dodge, D.T., & Heroman, C.(2005). Creative curriculum for preschool (4th Ed.).
Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies.

[scooter]

Why did I think this post was about Root Beer?

[Jennifer Smith]

Bump!

Since it's no longer the weekend, I'm hoping some of you guys have some time to help me out!

You can PM me if you don't want to post your comments here.
(BTW, thanks dolfan!)