Davenport students can be prepared to work in early childhood education before they even graduate from high school. The Early Childhood Education CTE program makes it possible.
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway that offers students a leg up when looking for a job and continuing their education.
“It was completely different getting to see real classroom experience,” says Spencer Bigalk, a 2020 Davenport West graduate now working at Children’s Village West. “The coolest part is what you learn in the room. You see it happen and you really get to apply it.”
The ECE program provides students with the opportunity to learn in a real classroom setting, working with DCSD preschoolers. ECE students write, implement and lead a lesson plan for the kids. The pathway helps students explore early childhood professions. It also opens the doors for internships, employment opportunities and college credit.
“You want them to get their hands dirty and learn,” says Becka Frandsen, the ECE Instructor.
The classwork is broken up into sequences taken over four years, with 480 hours of hands-on learning, 120 hours of curriculum seat time and the opportunity to obtain the CDA (Childhood Development Associate) credential during senior year.
Frandsen says it’s crucial to have competent early childhood educators.
“If you can get a kid to be socially and emotionally competent, the rest will fall into place," says Frandsen. “The program benefits not only DCSD students, but also the children at the schools we partner with.”
She adds it’s amazing to see some of her own students come back to teach at the Village after graduating.
“To know what I’m doing does make a difference is everything,” she says.
Be College and Career Ready
Before graduating from high school, Bigalk got her CDA, a nationally recognized certificate administered to educators who show certain competencies. It’s required for jobs in daycare facilities and educational settings with children three to five years old. It’s also valuable for students interested in being a paraeducator or teacher. The ECE pathway ensures students are knowledgeable and have the skills to enter the workforce.
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but experiencing and being with the kids, you’re getting career opportunities.” - Kylee McCrery, current DCSD senior.
The CDA comes with 18 hours of college credit toward electives at specific colleges, such as Scott Community College—saving students time and money. Students in the ECE program are eligible for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA Scholarship and Compensation Project, which covers up to 80 percent of college tuition toward a degree in early childhood education.
“Not everyone wants to go to college or at least go right away,” Frandsen says. “This program allows students the flexibility to continue their studies upon graduation or later in life, as well as the opportunity to begin their careers straight away.”
In addition to getting great hands-on experience and a CDA credential, students build a professional portfolio with their teachers detailing their work experience and transferable skills. This makes for a strong resume builder to impress potential employers.
Looking Ahead
DCSD is the only district to offer this program in the AEA and is looking to expand this program through various grants to get ECE students paid for their work-based learning hours.
“We are also looking to grow to include programs that offer students work-based learning experience with kids ages 0-2 by partnering with local daycares,” says Frandsen. “This will open more career opportunities for students and enhance their overall studies in early childhood education.”
How to Get There
Each of Davenport’s CTE programs has a recommended sequence of courses to take over 4 years.
Students can request the courses when they plan their schedules or join a CTE Program and have these automatically loaded into their Campus Planner. Find out more about joining a CTE Program.
Check out the Davenport Schools Course Guide for a full description of each course in the sequence.
Davenport students can explore several other careers through apprenticeships and CTE programs available in the Davenport Community School District. Currently, Davenport Schools offers 14 specialized career pathways that align student interests and passions with a range of careers.
Read more:
The Benefits of Becoming an Apprentice
District Partners with Purposity App
Volunteer Opportunities At DCSD Schools
