The SCC Challenge : Interim director for ECD is right at home

Brady Ellingson, Student Writer
March 12, 2012
Filed under Early Childhood Education

For the last 36 years, Deb Thomas has been proud to call herself a member of the Southeast Community College faculty.

However, since last June, Thomas has held a different title.? That title is known as Interim Director of the College?s Early Childhood Development Program, and she could not feel more honored.

?SCC is just an institute of integrity,? Thomas said.? ?I just feel privileged to work for such a quality institute.?

Since her predecessor resigned last summer to pursue another career path, Thomas has been in charge of overseeing a number of projects for the program.? One of these projects is getting the program ready to get reviewed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The NAEYC has been an organization responsible for the accreditation for education centers such as daycares and pre- schools for years, but only in the last five have colleges been able to receive such an honor.

Thomas and the rest of the program are thrilled to have this opportunity.? ?It?s always nice to have the accreditation ?seal of approval? involved with your school,? she said.

When they get to SCC in the last part of the winter quarter, the NAEYC will be looking over a number of people.? They will review the advisory staff, all faculty and adjuncts involved and even the SCC administration to ensure that the program is running smoothly.

Those being reviewed are responsible for over 350 campus students as well as 50 online students from all around the United States, including Rhode Island, Iowa, Arizona and New York.

Thomas thinks the development of Internet courses really enhances the college?s footprint.

?If for some reason a student has to move away, they don?t have to go to another school,? she observed.? ?They can simply finish online.?

All students from the college are welcome to attend some ECD classes as long as the prerequisites are met.

?We have had students from the college who are parents that just want to know a little bit more about raising children,? she said.

There is no waitlist for the program because they never have a limit on the number of students who can attend, but once students are in it, they will have their work cut out for them.

Thomas said, ?It is a 119.5 credit hour program, so it may take up to two and a half years to complete. It does vary, however, because we offer two different degrees as well as a Home and Visitor Family Advisor Certificate.?

The two degrees include an Associate in ECD itself as well as an Associate in ECD with an Entrepreneurial Focus, which can come in handy when owning and/or operating a daycare.

?Over 90% of our graduates get jobs in the ECD field, with the help of SCC?s wonderful career center,? said Thomas.

Just another reason for her to be proud of the place she works.

Source: http://www.sccchallenge.com/programs/early-childhood-education/2012/03/12/interim-director-for-ecd-is-right-at-home/

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