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“The updated Early Childhood curriculum is more succinct and many of the materials have more alignment to the internship,” stated Valerie Williams, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Consultant with the NC Department of Public Instruction. “This allows more students the opportunity to take the course and receive the credential than in previous years.”
Schools may be out for the summer, but many high school educators spend part of their summer preparing for the upcoming school year. During the week of July 17, Career & Technical Education (CTE) directors, teachers, and work-based learning coordinators attended the CTE Summer Conference in Winston-Salem to learn, collaborate, and get inspired.
Courtney Riggs, a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher with Pitt County Schools, was one of those who attended, stating, “The CTE Summer Conference provided me the opportunity to learn valuable curriculum updates as well as network with teachers from across the state to share new strategies and ideas.” Building Bright Futures had the opportunity to attend sessions on FE11 and FE12 PBM updates. Updates include the number of required learning experiences, rubric components, and culminating project requirements. For FE11, students will write five learning experiences, applying concepts and techniques that are developmentally appropriate to young children of all abilities. Students will implement two of these experiences in their work-based learning environment and gather feedback from their teachers that will promote growth and proficiency in all content areas.
Representatives from ApprenticeshipNC hosted sessions on the benefits of utilizing apprenticeships to launch careers in a variety of fields, including early childhood education. Through CTE courses, students are able toexplore career options through work-based learning and related instruction at the high school or community college level, setting them on a path to career success.
A key benefit of pre-apprenticeship is access to the NC Community College System’s tuition waiver. Pre-apprentices who sign on to an apprenticeship in the aligned path within 120 days of graduating high school are eligible for the tuition waiver that is applicable at any of the system’s community colleges. Pre-apprentices participating in the Building Bright Futures initiative can receive additional support for transportation, materials and supplies, and opportunities to attend professional development events. As we embark on a new school year, be sure to contact Building Bright Futures so we can help support the next wave of the early childhood workforce!
August 2023 Newsletter