Why Become a MECK Pre-K Teacher?

Compensation & Benefits

MECK Pre-K teachers and assistant teachers are employees of the child development center, but receive the same pay as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) educators. They are offered participation in the center’s health insurance coverage or receive the cash equivalent to pay for other coverage. They also receive a 3% contribution toward retirement which can be paid into the center’s retirement plan, or given as cash to teachers to put into their own plans.

Professional Development

MECK Pre-K teachers and assistant teachers are professional educators, and have regular opportunities to increase their knowledge through professional development and continuing education. Opportunities include:

• The week before school starts, MECK Pre-K hosts an annual “Welcome Back” event to bring teachers and admins together.
• For the remainder of that week, teachers enjoy workshops that provide support/skills to help with curriculum, activity planning, meeting social/emotional needs, and other topics.
  
• On a monthly basis, MECK Pre-K leadership and success coaches host Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for teachers and administrators to plan together, share ideas, and analyze student data together.

Continuing Education Scholarship Opportunities

• The STRIVE Scholarship at Central Piedmont Community College can help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies and technology for those pursuing an Associate in Applied Science in early childhood education.
• The MECK Pre-K Scholarship at the UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education provides tuition, supplies and family care support for candidates with a bachelor’s degree to obtain their birth-to-kindergarten license.

Ongoing Support

MECK Pre-K teachers and assistant teachers receive support in a variety of ways.

• Opportunities to be mentors, leads and trainers.
• Success Coaches who check in with them weekly and provide additional support when needed.
• Access to a Child and Family Support team to assist families with difficulties. 

MECK Pre-K Curriculum

MECK Pre-K provides a curriculum based on five fundamental principles that guide teachers in setting up and operating their classrooms.

• Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning.
• Emotional-Social competence is a significant factor in school success.
• Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
• The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
• Teacher-family partnerships promote development and learning.

Consistent Schedule

MECK Pre-K follows the Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools schedule and calendar.

• Teachers work 8 hours a day: 6.5 hours with students and 1.5 hours for planning and organizational time.
• MECK Pre-K has the same schedule for holidays, teacher workdays, and summer break as CMS.

Educational Requirements

Lead Teacher

• Lead teachers must hold, or be continually working toward, a Birth-through-Kindergarten (B-K) licensure.
• Lead teachers who are working toward the B-K licensure must hold a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field with a 2.7 GPA; and be enrolled in an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) B-K licensure program.
• Lead teachers who are working toward the B-K licensure must meet educational requirements based on their official Plan of Study form their approved EPP, NC Board of Education Licensure Policy and NC Child Care Rules. Visit the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education website for more information on requirements.

Assistant Teacher

Assistant Teachers must hold a High School Diploma and commit to one of the following criteria:

• Earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) within the first year of teaching and keep it current, renewing when necessary, or;
• Hold or be working toward the Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field. Assistants working towards an Associate’s Degree program in early education must complete at least 6 credits annually with a grade of “C” or better, until Associate’s Degree is earned.