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Early childhood education to offer new B.A. degree
program on campus
Beginning this summer, PVCC's child development program will offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education without leaving campus. Charter Oak State College, a fully accredited college based in Connecticut, will provide the transfer option to students who desire a four-year degree with a concentration in early childhood education. The degree is designed to prepare students for positions as preschool teachers, directors or for setting up and running their own preschools. Eileen Shiff, coordinator of the child development program, is the driving force behind the four-year degree option. "Students are excited about this opportunity; where they can continue to blend theory with practice as they prepare for career success," says Shiff. Shiff points to the rising importance of providing a quality learning environment for young children as the motivation for offering the new transfer program. Early childhood education focuses on children ages 3 to 5, providing them opportunities to explore their physical and intellectual strengths, develop positive self concepts, and begin to make simple life choices that shape their attitudes and values. "Each child holds a wealth of potential, and actively involving them in a rich, stimulating, nurturing environment creates an opportunity to maximize that potential," says Shiff. "Unfortunately, there's a significant shortage of well-trained teachers at this level." Students pursuing either the early childhood education AAS or AA degrees can transfer up to 90 credit hours toward the required 120 hours necessary for a Charter Oak bachelor's degree. The remaining 30 credit hours consist of upper division courses taught by Charter Oak instructors on the campus of PVCC. Shiff worked with Charter Oak to structure course offerings to meet the needs of students who may not be able to attend classes during the day. Shiff says that classes would follow the same basic format:
"I have a passion to teach young children, and the Charter Oak degree will provide me an opportunity to receive credit for my work experiences and my course work and get a bachelor's degree in a much shorter time frame without having to leave campus," says McNeil. Shiff adds that all the Charter Oak classes are eligible for financial aid. Currently, the early childhood education department offers students three educational options:
Annie Blair, a mother who wants to start a new career as an elementary school teacher, feels that Shiff has been successful in accomplishing both goals. "I'm a busy mother and really appreciate being able to take classes on Saturdays," says Blair. "Classes are small and instructors go out of their ways to make sure you get the attention and help you need to be successful." McNeil echoes those feelings. "It's a wonderful program. The teachers are experienced and professional, and they provide not only educational philosophies but the current best practical knowledge to teach young children," says McNeil. "They've kindled my teaching passion." Shiff notes that as a specialist in the field of education, each instructor focuses on creating a rich classroom learning environment for students. A rich learning environment, says Shiff, helps students understand why something works and then allows students to practice applying that knowledge. Shiff would like to see more males attracted to a career in early childhood education to provide more of a male influence on children. "Children benefit from a balanced environment, and the field needs more males to provide that balance," says Shiff. "To attract more males, the status of the job must change and salaries will need to rise as well." Shiff emphasized that the importance of a quality preschool experience is often overlooked. "If I could choose to have one excellent teacher for my children, it would at the preschool level" says Shiff. “That is where the foundation for learning begins." For more information on any of the childhood education programs, contact Eileen Shiff at (602) 787-7293. |
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Last
updated: May 8, 2002 |
