Teacher Spotlight- Ms. Reitzel
What is the most significant new or different aspect to your program this year?
“The most different aspect this year has been the quarantine issue. Our preschool teaching schedule is set, and students have had to “sub” teach due to quarantines, which means they must be prepared to be teaching EVERY day.”
What are some of the more common career pathways your students take when they leave CPACTC?
“Students can go straight to work. Some students go on for further education at college. Daycare, Preschool, and Public School Teachers.”
What particular training/unit do employers seek that helps students get their foot in the door?
“The hands-on training in our preschool program is the most important part of our training.”
What is some of the recent technology and/or trends in the profession with which students become familiar?
“We use computer based technology for lessons, especially large muscle time. Sometimes we do kid yoga with our white board projector screen. We also added a new app called ELOFZGO.”
What unit/topic do students struggle with the most in your program? Why do you think that is?
“I think our most difficult chapter is #4-Thoery & Theorists. It explores the theories of 4 major contributors to Early Childhood. Another struggle might be actually teaching in preschool.”
Explain a typical day in your program.
“Preschool Day- Students arrive, change, and meet the children upon parent drop off. Students teach the preschool lessons they have written. Children are picked up by parents, and students are dismissed.”
What advice would you give students who have completed your program?
“Keep educating yourself, and find a job that makes you happy and fulfilled.”
How many years have you been at CPACTC?
“I started working here in November of 2013.”
What is your experience before coming to CPACTC?
“I was a music teacher, stay at home mom, and preschool teacher. I guess I was a ½ stay at home mom.”
Program Spotlight- Early Childhood Education Students
Summarize what you learn in your program in ONE SENTENCE (if you can).
“Quality Childcare for young children.”
“We learn the development of children.”
“We learn how to teach and care for preschool age children.”
What is the hardest part of Early Childhood Education?
“Writing observations, or teaching songs to the preschoolers.”
“Probably deciding what you will teach the children.”
“A lot of planning.”
What is the most fun part?
“Interacting with kids and watching their growth and development over the year.”
“Teaching the preschoolers.”
“Spending time with the kids and learning about them.”
What is some recent technology you are learning to use that is specific to your profession?
“We use YouTube videos for different things with the preschool program.”
“ELOF 2 GO, we use it to specify areas of growth.”
What is your plan for after high school? BE SPECIFIC!
“I plan on taking a year break. Then I will be pursuing a four year college degree in Special Education.”
“Finishing my CDA, and then going to HACC to get my Associates Degree in Early Childhood.”
“I plan to go college to further my education.”
What is going to be the highlight of the year?
“Seeing the end of year progress for the children in the preschool program.”
“The preschool graduation ceremony.”
“The preschool graduation, and my own graduation.”
What are you proud of learning how to do in program?
“Overcoming anxiety when standing in front of students to teach a lesson.”
“How to care for every child.”
“How to work with kids, and helping them to grow.”
Explain a typical day in your program.
“The preschool children arrive, and hang up bags and coats. We have a “circle time” for activities, then we do large muscle time for the kids to get exercise. Typically we follow that with a snack. We then do a song, and a story time to calm them down from the day’s activities before they are picked up.”
“The high school students get dressed and make sure the pre-k area is prepped and ready. The preschool students arrive, and we do free play, circle time, large muscle, snack, 1-on-1, a song and story. After preschool dismisses, the high school students change again and return to sending school or go home dependent on AM or PM session attendance.”
How is your program at CPACTC different from other classes you have had in the past? Can you give some examples?
“It is career specific education, and more fun, more hands-on, and gives us hours of instruction time with actual kids to teach.”
What advice would you give to a beginning Level 1 student who is just starting the program or to a student who is considering enrolling in Early Childhood Education?
“You should stay on top of your work. It is not hard, just keep up with your EQ’s and observations. Have fun! This program is a lot of fun, and will give you many good memories.”
“Keep everything! Notes, lesson plans, observations, keep it all, you WILL need them for your 3rd year.”
“There will be challenges along the way, so make sure you are prepared, and stay on top of your work.”