A Fast Path to Becoming a Successful Preschool Teacher
Posted On June 20,2025
Becoming a teacher is incredibly fulfilling. While working in education is not without its frustrations, many educators find that having a career where they make a real difference in the lives of their students is well worth it. The traditional route to becoming a teacher involved a four-year degree in education as well as a student teaching experience, and this can be intimidating to many new teachers. However, if you are interested in preschool teaching, you can join the fast path to a successful career with a two-year degree in Early Childhood Education. These accredited degree programs can quickly get you the skills and training you need to start a successful career as a preschool teacher.
What is a Degree in Early Childhood Education?
Is a degree in early childhood education from a career academy different from a degree from a four-year university? What can you teach?
A two-year degree in Early Childhood Education allows you to teach students from birth to age five, which covers the preschool years. This means that graduates from two-year programs will finish with a degree and be qualified to work as a daycare or preschool teacher.
Hands-On Training is Crucial for Success
Many four-year education degrees focus on class work over practical experience, but most veteran teachers say that hands-on training was far more beneficial to their success in the field. Looking for a program that will give you hands-on experience with children in a classroom setting can be the difference between a successful first year teaching and a struggle. Many vocational programs and career academies understand this and center their programs around offering the practical experience that new preschool teachers need. No matter how many books you read or classes you take, you don’t know how to work in a preschool environment until you’ve had a chance to to experience it.
Flexible Class Options Make Going to School Easier
While there are some who are ready to become preschool teachers right after completing their high school years, becoming a teacher is a second career for many adults who feel stuck in dead-end jobs or jobs that feel as though they have no meaning. For busy and working adults, the thought of going back to school full-time and completing a four-year program while balancing work and family feels unattainable. If you think this is your only option, you’ll choose to stay stuck rather than make the move to a career that means something.
You don’t have to stay stuck in a dead-end career. Many degree programs offer flexible schedules to allow students to find the right balance as they make the transition to becoming a preschool teacher. Small class sizes and intimate learning environments ensure that all students will get the personalized attention they need to succeed.
Be Ready to Teach with Job-Preparation Focus
Hands-on experience, as previously discussed, is obviously important, but new preschool teachers need a strong foundation in education. Many career academies and vocational schools are able to offer a comprehensive early childhood education program in only two years that covers all the essential aspects necessary for teaching young children, without extra “filler”classes categorized as “general education classes” and “electives”. When choosing an accredited Early Childhood Education program that is affiliated with NAEYC, you will know that you have everything you need to hit the ground running.
A Career That Makes a Difference
No career is perfect for everyone, but as a preschool teacher, you will know you are making a real difference in the lives of your students. When you have the opportunity to work with students at the very beginning of their educational journey, you are setting the tone for the rest of their time in the classroom. Children under five grow at a rate that is never duplicated for the rest of their lives, so the children you have at the start of the year will be markedly different from the students they become in the end, and you will know that some of that growth can be attributed to you and your classroom.
Not only that, but working as a preschool teacher is fun. Instead of sitting at a desk all day, working at a computer or making calls, you will get to experience the joy of the preschool classroom. While there are some days that will be very challenging since small children can be unpredictable, you will certainly never be bored.
When you are ready to fast track your career as a preschool teacher, whether you are looking for your first job or are ready for a career change, look for an accredited career academy that is designed to set you up for success. Flexible class schedules, hands-on training, a comprehensive curriculum, and a focus on job preparation will give you the tools you need for your first day as a preschool teacher, ready to make a difference in the lives of your students.
If you’re looking for a career that combines purpose, joy, and long-term opportunity, becoming a preschool teacher may be the path you’ve been waiting for—and you don’t need a four-year degree to get there. A two-year Early Childhood Education program from an accredited career academy offers the skills, support, and practical experience you need to step confidently into the classroom. Whether you’re just starting out or making a mid-life career change, you can build a meaningful future helping young children learn, grow, and thrive—without putting your own life on hold to do it. Contact Athena Career Academy to enroll.