Nobody can tell you what you’d be better suited for except yourself. Some things to think about: do you like working with younger children? Early childhood involves not just TEACHING ABC’S, and reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic, but also involves teaching how to socialize, how to be civilized, oftentimes even the barebones things they should be learning at home, such as, how to put on a coat, mittens, boots, and, believe it or not ,sometimes, how to manage meals, bathroom habits, etc. Since you’d be spending so much time with the children, early childhood education also involves spotting any potential problems such as learning disabilities–and sometimes, even spotting home issues (neglect, abuse, a million others…). Secondary ed, on the other hand, has its own sets of problems: the kids are often presenting major issues (again, believe it or not–alcoholism, drug use, all kinds of abuse, and of course, many, many disabilities). Sometimes teachers reap the consequences of many years of gaps, whether those gaps were caused because of academic failures or shortcomings, parental issues, societal conditions, or any combination thereof. But both certifications have their potential rewards; younger children are still very influenced by teachers, and you can do a great deal of good for them; older children are often still salvageable, that is, they have a core of optimism and hope that usually is not completely extingushed yet. In my state (PA), early childhood cert, as well as K-6 cert, is a separate degree, bacelor’s or master’s. 7-12 in core subjects is too, but if you already had an undergrad degree in education, you can sometimes test out of (via Praxis) other subject areas. Something you haven’t mentioned, and might want to consider: how about guidance counseling, or school psychologist (2 different certs)? Although I personally think the best guidance counselors have spent some years in the classroom, it doesn’t always go that way, and you can get certified without classroom experience. School psychologist is a separate certification, and may be easier for you to obtain,since you already have a bachelor’s in psych. Also, you will definitely get to administer the specific types of testing you seem interested in. Hope this helped.

Your decision to get a masters degree is a great choice. However, only you can decide whether to choose early childhood or secondary education. Are you a person with a lot of patience. Do you mind speaking baby talk or do you operate better with children that have some development? Are you better suited to interact with babies or do you work better with children? These are just some of the questions that you need to ask yourself in what you want to do.

In terms of economic benefits, obviously being a secondary educator is more beneficial because there are more children = more money. However, you need to weigh your motivation and desire vs. money. Do you want more money? That should factor into your decision as to which degree you want if yes. Do you really want to teach early childhood education? Or are you really into secodary education. Monetarywise, secondary education is better off. Your professor was right in a sense. Applying IQ tests are only valid if you work with a school that allows you adminster them or you co-work for a corporation.

Getting testing certification is attained along with your masters education. I’m pretty sure that you take a series of classes that will allow you to become certified. This can be done in conjunction with you masters degree, or can be taken in a seperate setting. I would recommend you to talk with counselors or your advisors and get cleared up. Their job is to know these answers and can give you a much better knowledgable answer than anyone online.

Hope this was helpful.

I found that being a substitute teacher (K-12) helped me decide which level–elementary or middle/high school–to teach. Subbing showed me that elementary teachers have to be parents to their students as much as they need to be academic teachers. Whereas, middle/high school teachers need to be mentors and certainly good role models for students, but can devote more time to teaching academics.

Also, you should consider what you like to teach. As a social studies high school teacher, I spend my days focusing on only that subject. Whereas,had I opted to teach at the elementary level I’d be teaching all the core subjects. Being a sub for awhile might give you a sense of which of these you prefer. They certainly are different and the experience of working at the different levels will, I believe, prove very helpful as you decide which level to teach. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the younger kids, so much so that I nearly opted to become certified as an elementary teacher.

I highly recommend a few months as a substitute teacher. In any case, I don’t think you’ll regret becoming a teacher. No the pay isn’t great, but the rewards of working with the kids, inspiring them, mentoring them ,watching them grow, make teaching a deeply fulfilling career.

I can’t answer the testing question, but if you mean ethe birth to 5 age group for early childhood education, then you will be poor. They pay those teachers even less than

elementary and secondary teachers.

Would be great to have you as a teacher cause I’m a student. 😀