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KATHERINE MEDINA In honor of NCBCE's Youth Apprenticeship Month and the Department of Labor's National Apprenticeship Week earlier this month, our spotlight for November is Katherine Medina, or "Ms. Kat" to her young students. Katherine is an apprentice at A Safe Place Childcare in Raleigh, a Building Bright Futures participant. She shares her passion for A Safe Place and an excitement for her apprenticeship. |
What do you enjoy most about working at A Safe Place?
I really enjoy the welcoming work atmosphere as well as the togetherness of the employees here. When I come to work, I feel as if I am going to my other family instead of just a job. I also absolutely love the opportunity they provide for personal as well as career growth.
What advice do you have for anyone thinking about becoming an apprentice?
Go ahead and do it!! The opportunity itself is amazing and anyone interested should take advantage of it. It is something I wish was provided to me when I was younger.
What are some of the benefits of an early childhood educator apprenticeship?
The hands-on experience can't be beat! Through apprenticeship, I am given the opportunity to gain new skills and get support from my mentor and other seasoned professionals while continuing my education at Wake Tech. Having a mentor work with me one-on-one is so valuable because I get first-hand experience from someone who was once in my shoes.
What are some of the responsibilities you have in the classroom at A Safe Place?
My responsibilities at A Safe Place are just that! We aim to provide a safe place where all children feel welcome and at home. I am responsible for assisting the lead teacher in our preschool classroom, providing adequate and appropriate learning experiences for my students. Recently, we learned about Hispanic Heritage Month. We were able to take the children on a field trip to a Mexican bakery where they got to taste some of their muffins. It was very fun for me to see the children's excitement as they prepared for the field trip as well as when we got to the bakery. Some of their baked goods were new to some of our students!
What are some of your career goals?
My goal is to graduate from Wake Technical Community College and obtain my Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I'd like to become a lead teacher and possibly later pursue further education.