PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Teaching Careers is an occupational training program for students who are interested in entering the world of working with children. The program is available part-time to HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS as (1) three-hour block in the morning or afternoon. Students must commit to two years to be a completer of the program.
This is a great class to take if you are interested in being an early childhood educator, preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, Head Start teacher, elementary teacher, nanny or a teacher’s assistant. Coursework focuses on the developmental needs of children from birth to age five and the effective ways of providing for their early care and education. This program will prepare students for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing program and is designed for those individuals who want to “specialize” in a Preschool or Infant/Toddler setting. Students will take the CDA test through the Council for Professional Recognition at the end of the course and if awarded the credential, students can work across the United States for a higher rate of pay. This is an entry level credential with several opportunities available for immediate work. Students spend 3 days a week in field experiences working with young children and 2 days a week in classroom instruction.
COURSES OFFERED
Education Experiences
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0 Grade Level: 10-12
This course will introduce students to the teaching profession. Students will explore teaching practices, various contexts of teaching, and contemporary issues related to teacher education. Students will be encouraged to think more about what teaching is, what teachers do, and whether teaching is an appropriate career choice for them. Students will be placed in an in-district academic setting for a majority of the course.
ED 100
Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 12
ED 100 is a dual credit course through which students can get an introduction into the profession of teaching. This course will introduce themes of the teaching profession, outline pathways and processes to becoming a certified teacher through DESE, and address community-based education.
Early Childhood Careers 1
Credit: 3.0 Grade Level: 11-12
Do you LOVE working with children? Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? Learn what it takes to be an early childhood educator. Students will learn child growth and development of the child from birth through age 12 and gain hands-on experience working with children in the classroom. Learn professional and ethical issues in child development; child growth and development; child abuse and neglect prevention; parent/child relationships; child health and wellness; teaching and guiding children and special conditions affecting children. It is recommended for any career area with a potential focus on children. There are no prerequisites but students can benefit from taking Introduction to Education, Child Development, and/or Psychology prior to this class.
Early Childhood Careers 2- CDA
Credit: 3.0 Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Complete Teaching Careers 1 with a minimum C average.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a competency based certification focusing on the developmental needs of children from birth to age five and the effective ways of providing for their early care and education. This program is designed for those individuals who want to specialize in an Early Childhood setting. With this credential, students can work across the United States for a high rate of pay. This is an entry level credential with some employers requiring students to continue their education at the college level. Students also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an early childhood classroom.
Pathways to the Teaching Profession
Credit: 2.0 Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Child Development, Introduction to Education, Psychology or Child Care Provider/Assistant 1 are strongly encouraged.
This class can be taken for dual credit through UCM for 4 dual credit hours! Are you interested in being a teacher, coach, college professor, or corporate educator? If the answer is yes, Pathways is designed for you! Students have the opportunity to focus on the theory and practice of learning and teaching, the basic principles of educational psychology, the art of teaching, the planning and administration of educational activities, and the foundation of education. Students are assigned to a field experience classroom within the school district and gain hands-on experience in a classroom.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Upon successful completion of the two-year Early Childhood program, students are eligible to receive one credit of embedded English.
