One of the many programs in the school, the early education program prepares high school students for future careers in the education field. This course gives students insight into properly meeting a child’s needs and how the biological development process plays into each step.
When going through the program, each student starts at Intro to ECE (early childhood education) covering topics on newborns and, ideally, work their way to ECE 3, covering each developmental stage through each class. In ECE 3, students have a double period. In the first period, students work on their portfolios. In this portfolio, they write competency statements that explain how they can help adequately educate children.
Along with their portfolios, each student is to come up with about 10 children’s books that pertain to each Trinity preschool child’s educational development. During class time, students are also expected to come up with lesson plans and gather the materials needed for that craft or activity.
“My favorite part about ECE 3 is the fact we get a double period. The first period is about our class time and focusing on our portfolios and the second period we get to focus on the preschoolers,” explained senior Natalie Hartmann.
Every week, preschool is in session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Each school day, children are dropped off at the school for the day to begin. During the preschooler’s time in class, they do circle time where they learn about various topics such as numbers, days of the week and letters. After circle time they play and then begin the activity the high school student came up with when creating their lesson plan.
Each week the preschoolers have a different theme. For example, for Read Across America week, on Wednesday the preschoolers wore wacky outfits. Another theme popular amongst the preschoolers and students is the Christmas-themed week. Themes include red and green outfits and the most popular, pajama day. On pajama day, preschoolers and high school students get to wear whatever comfy pajamas they choose, watch the “Polar Express” movie and enjoy snacks such as hot chocolate and popcorn.
Senior Chloe Prowitt says, “I like being able to have fun and feel a connection with all of the preschool students. They are all just so much fun”
At the end of the ECE 3 program and before graduation, each student has the choice to take the NOCTI test. If passed, each student will receive credentials toward their future education.
If students are interested in going into education after graduation, early childhood education could be a great class to get involved in to see what goes into education. Even if students do not have time in their schedules for early childhood education classes, clubs such as FCCLA and FTA could also help students understand what goes into being a teacher!
