Early Childhood Care & Education

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The State of Georgia has a law regarding the placement of persons with criminal records in childcare facilities. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense, neglecting or abusing a dependent person, a sexual offense, or any other “covered crime” will not be allowed to work in a childcare facility. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with your advisor. Because your employment options may be severely limited in the early childhood profession, a person who has received an unsatisfactory criminal records check is discouraged from pursuing this program of study and may need to reconsider their chosen field of study. Prior to beginning clinical/internship courses, students must order and pay for a background check and meet background check screening requirements as required by the clinical facility. Cost is approximately $50.

PATHWAY COURSE & DESCRIPTIONS:
 

Course 1—Examining the Teaching Profession - 13.01100
The Examining the Teaching Profession prepares students for future positions in the field of education. Teaching as a Profession students study, apply, and practice the use of current technologies, effective teaching and learning strategies, the creation of an effective learning environment, the creation of instructional opportunities for diverse learners and students with special needs, and plan instruction based on knowledge of subject matter, students, community, and curriculum performance standards.

Course 2—Contemporary Issues in Education - 13.01200
This course engages the candidate in observations, interactions, and analyses of critical and contemporary educational issues. The candidate will investigate issues influencing the social and political contexts of educational settings in Georgia and the United States and actively examines the teaching profession from multiple vantage points both within and outside of the school. Against this backdrop, the candidate will reflect on and interpret the meaning of education and schooling in a diverse culture and examine the moral and ethical responsibilities of teaching in a democracy.

Course 3—Teaching as a Profession Practicum - 13.01300
The practicum offers a candidate in the Teaching as a Profession career pathway a field experience under the direct supervision of a certified teacher (mentor teacher). The practicum stresses observing, analyzing and classifying activities of the mentor teacher and comparing personal traits with those of successful teachers. The candidate intern will develop a portfolio of their skills, plan and teach a lesson or lessons, understand and practice confidentiality as it pertains to the teaching profession, meet the needs of students with special needs, maintain the safety of the students, practice professionalism, and demonstrate ethical behavior.