Early Childhood Teacher Certification in Ohio

Early Childhood Education in Ohio

Ohio, known for both its big cities and its broad stretches of farmland, earns above-average rankings for its overall public education system. It is ranked 12th in the nation for education, receiving an overall grade of “B-” in Education Week’s 2013 annual rankings. It earned its lowest grade of “C” in the Teaching Profession category, which measures quality initiatives. However, it is ranked fourth in the nation for the Standards, Assessments, and Accountability category, earning an “A.” While these scores are respectable in comparison to other states, Ohio ranks very low for its early childhood education system. Less than two percent of children in Ohio receive preschool instruction prior to entering kindergarten. In fact, it ranked dead last in the National Institute for Early Education report. Regardless, there are still a great number of opportunities for individuals interested in making a difference as a teacher in the state of Ohio.

Getting Ohio Teacher Certification

The Ohio Department of Education includes extensive information about the ways to obtain certification/licensure. You will need to familiarize yourself with this site, as it contains many resources valuable to both aspiring teachers and current teachers.

Ohio offers several options for teacher certification. Applicants may be granted certification if they have successfully completed an approved teacher preparation program either in-state or out-of-state, currently hold a valid out-of-state teaching license, or pursue the alternative resident educator license by enrolling in the Intensive Pedagogical Training Institute. The specific types of licenses vary depending on experience. Temporary and substitute licenses are also available under approved conditions.

Fill out the appropriate paper application or apply online here. Be sure to submit the required materials such as official transcripts, test scores, a background check, fees and more. View the Help and FAQs page or contact the Office of Educator Licensure, should you have any further questions about the certification/licensure process.

Ohio Early Childhood Education Degree Programs

There are over 70 early childhood education degree programs in Ohio.

is one of the top public universities in the nation and offers a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, as well as various master’s and doctoral degrees. It is also known for its safe and diverse learning environment.

is a public research university with a large selection of degree options throughout its many campuses across the state. It offers associate degrees in early childhood education, pre-early childhood education and pre-elementary education. Other degrees include a bachelor’s in early childhood education and master’s degree options. It enrolls more than 42,000 students.

is a top-tier private Marianist university that offers a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and several master’s and doctoral degrees. Early childhood endorsements and certificates are also available.

is an esteemed public research university offering a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, as well as a number of master’s degrees. U.S. News and World Report ranked it 65th among public national universities in 2012.

is a metropolitan research school that offers a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a variety of master’s and doctoral options. It prides itself on being a student-centered university with a beautiful campus.

Finding a Teaching Job in Ohio

There are several different avenues you can take to pursue a career in this dynamic field.


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Public schools employ the vast majority of individuals seeking careers in early childhood education. Ohio Teaching Jobs is a service for educators and administrators that allows users to search job postings and apply to specific school districts. The website School Spring also lists teaching job vacancies within the state.

Other employers to become familiar with are private schools, Head Start and Montessori schools. Be sure to research the child-care centers in your local area, as many of these centers are in constant need of highly qualified teachers and assistant teachers. GreatSchools.org can help you find top-rated preschools and elementary schools in your community, as well.

Ohio Educator Organizations

There are many professional organizations for teachers in the state of Ohio sharing similar visions.

The Ohio Education Association (OEA) was founded in 1847 and represents 121,000 public school teachers and educators across the state. It aims to improve both the profession and local public schools. It provides union benefits and is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest professional employee organization, with three million members in over 14,000 communities across the country.

The Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC) increases public awareness of the importance of early childhood education and provides professional development for educators. It strives to help children from birth through age eight, as well as their families. The organization is an affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an organization consisting of 80,000 members.

There is also a variety of organizations for teachers based on specific areas of interest, including the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (OCTELA), Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM), Science Education Council of Ohio (SECO), and Ohio Council for the Social Studies (OCSS).

Early Childhood Education Blogs in Ohio

TheCleveland.com education section covers hot topics, issues and events in Ohio schools. Ohio teachers also share insights and information through their personal blogs.

Mrs. T’s Second Grade is authored by a second-grade teacher who shares both organizational and instructional ideas for the classroom.


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Mrs. Samuelson’s Swamp Frogs shares a variety of ideas and activities aimed at first- and second-grade teachers.

Tales of a Teacherista is written by a former preschool teacher, and current first-grade teacher, who enjoys creating classroom resources and collaborating with other early educators.

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