Educational Careers

The Educational Careers program will help students prepare for an exciting future career in positions ranging from Childcare Workers, Childcare Directors, Head Start or Preschool Teachers, Paraprofessionals, K-12 Teachers, Principals, Counselors, Coaches, Youth Activity Coordinators and Parks and Recreation Leaders just to name a few. Some careers in this field will be possible after immediate completion of the program and others will require additional training and education.

Students in this program will take two one-year courses where they will learn about key components in the education and childcare fields including child development, classroom management, and lesson and activity design. In addition, students will have the opportunity to utilize their training in a real world setting. Students will also have the opportunity to earn both a state and national certification in the program.

The employment outlook for careers in this field is bright. Nationally, statewide and locally, there is high demand in both the childcare and education sectors. Students who successfully complete this program will have the opportunity to earn national (Child Development Associate, CDA) and state (Michigan Youth Development Associate, MI-YDA) accreditations, earn college credit, and make valuable connections with local employers.

If you are creative, a strong communicator, self-driven, and can work independently as well as part of a team and want to make a difference, then Education Careers might be a good option for you.

Our mission is to provide students with the essential knowledge, practices, and employability skills to excel in their careers and future  learning.

Course Title 

Educational Careers (13.0000) 

National Career Cluster: Education and Training 

 Michigan Career Pathway: Human Services 

Instructor(s) 

Gina Rios 

517.244.1466 

Credentials 

BA Elementary Education – Spring Arbor College 

MA Educational Technology – Central Michigan University 

CTE Endorsement - Ferris State University 

Types of Credit 

3rd Year Science 

4th Year Math 

Visual Performing & Applied Arts 

Second World Language 

*English 150  

*English 250 

Articulation Agreement and Direct Credit 

Ferris State University (additional Dual Enrollment and Early Middle College options available) 

Credentials Earned 

Child Development Associate (CDA) 

Michigan Youth Development Associate (MI-YDA)  

Program Description 

The Educational Careers program will help students prepare for an exciting future career in positions ranging from Childcare Workers, Childcare Directors, Head Start or Preschool Teachers, Paraprofessionals, K-12 Teachers, Principals, Counselors, Coaches, Youth Activity Coordinators, and Parks and Rec Leaders, just to name a few. Some careers in this field will be possible after immediate completion of the program and others will require additional training and education.  

Students in this program will take two one-year courses where they will learn about key components in the education and childcare fields including child development, classroom management, and lesson and activity design. In addition, students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in classroom settings, putting their learning into action. They will be paired with a mentor teacher in a field placement for a student teaching opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world setting.  

1st YEAR STUDENTS 

First year students will learn about the career opportunities within the childcare and school systems. All students will receive 250+ hours of instruction regarding the critical knowledge needed to be successful in these fields, including child development, classroom management, teaching practices, assessment, and family communication. By October, all first-year students will choose from 1 of 3 pathways to focus their learning and experiences on. The three pathways are Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary. Once students have chosen a pathway, they will be paired with a mentor teacher within their age group focus to complete a field placement with. All first-year students will spend 1 day each week beginning in October within their mentor’s teacher’s classroom making observations, helping with activities, and working with the students. Beginning in January all first-year students will spend 2 days each week in the field with their mentor teacher. All students will use both their instructional time and field experience to create a portfolio that will document their progress toward CDA and MI-YDA completion. 

2nd YEAR STUDENTS 

Second year students will spend most of their time working in the field. They will have the opportunity to participate in up to three different field placements throughout the year depending on their future career interests. Second year students will begin working in these field placements in September and spend 4 days each week with their mentor teacher. Greater responsibility within the classroom will be given to second year students. They will teach lessons, work with small groups, and analyze assessment data to direct further instruction. Second year students will spend 1 day each week with their Wilson Talent Center instructor. This time will be used to reflect, plan, and continue to work on their professional portfolios. By the end of their second year, students will have completed the requirements for their MI-YDA and CDA and will complete the application process. Within the second-year students will also focus on career and college applications as well as scholarship and leadership opportunities. 

Universal Learning 

The Educational Careers program is committed to universal learning and supporting all students' needs. Our classroom space, routines, resources, and interactions will be as inclusive as possible. Treating each other with respect, listening to each other, having an open mind and a willingness to help each other learn is crucial to universal learning. 

Course Focus (Year 1) 

Professional Portfolio Development 

  • Course Introduction: Why Education, Why Me, Why Now  
  • Unit 1: Education in the 21st Century
  • Unit 2: Educational Structure and Organization
  • Unit 3: Child Growth and Development
  • Unit 4 Empowering Learning Communities
  • Unit 5: Effective and Inclusive Teaching Practices 
  • Unit 6: Effective Assessment Strategies
  • Unit 7: Systems of Communication 
  • Unit 8: Next Steps (Resumes, Applications, and Future Opportunities)
  • Leadership Opportunities 

  • Student Showcase 

Course Focus: (Year 2)

  • 250+ hours of Teacher Instruction (3-5 days per week) 
  • 150+ hours of Field Experience (1-2 days per week) 
  • Continuing Professional Portfolio Development 
  • CDA Application and Approval Process 
  • 100+ hours of Teacher Guided Reflection and Planning (1-2 days per week) 
  • 300+ hours of Field Experience (3-4 days per week)

Grading Policy 

The Educational Careers program utilizes Evidence-Based Reporting (EBR). This is used to ensure that a student’s grade reflects their learning based on course expectations. EBR is also known as standards-based grading which emphasizes mastery of knowledge and skills rather than completion of tasks. 

You may notice some differences in PowerSchool. There may be times when it seems like fewer grades are entered into the system or you may see projected grades. This is because EBR focuses on mastery and collecting a variety of evidence to show it. It is intended to provide clear expectations for students regarding what they need to know, give them opportunities to provide evidence to demonstrate their learning, and give them the ability to constantly work on and improve unmastered skills.  EBR allows students to have multiple opportunities to show what they have learned and earn an appropriate grade. Although this process of earning grades is different, all students will continue to earn letter grades that are reported back to their home district. 

Grading will also encompass employability skills which will also utilize EBR and be evaluated by the instructor. These scores will be averaged at the end of the marking period with employability skills comprising 35% of the final grade per Wilson Talent Center guidelines. 

Exit Outcomes

  • Employability skills to seek, obtain, and keep employment in the Education Industry (childcare, schools, after-school programs)
  • Identification of and support for achieving an individualized Career Path Plan, to include post-secondary education, vocational training, and/or employment opportunities
  • College credit through Ferris State University
  • State or National Credentials (CDA or MI-YDA)
  • Digital and Hard Copy Professional Portfolio, Resume and Cover Letter
  • Networking and Interview Skills
  • Collaboration and leadership skills

Special Requirements/Program Prerequisites

  • Good attendance and attitude 
  • Good communication and presentation skills 
  • Ability to work well in teams and individually 
  • Professional Attire (as needed) 
  • Have transportation to and from their field placement school or center (as needed) 
 

Introduction to Educational Careers

 

About Educational Careers

1-2 year program

Offered AM and PM

Skills Students Leave With:

Creativity

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Problem Solving

Conflict Resolution

Professionalism

Networking