SPOTLIGHT: Jocelyn Shelton, ECE Pre-Apprentice, Buncombe County Schools

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JOCELYN SHELTON Jocelyn is one of several ECE pre-apprentices in Buncombe County Schools (BCS) this spring semester. In Buncombe County, pre-apprentices complete their work-based learning either at a local child care center or at BCS Learning Labs, a preschool program serving 3- and 4-year olds at four of Buncombe County's high schools. Jocelyn has been a pre-apprentice at Evolve Early Learning Center and is poised to move into apprenticeship upon high school graduation in June 2024.

What do you enjoy about working with children?   
I really enjoy their company. I love the energy that they bring to everyone every day. Children are so open-minded, and I love how they say exactly what they are thinking. I really love how they also teach me. They have taught me how to respect myself better. For example, one day a student gave me compliments. It reminded me how important it is to love myself, too. We are teaching them, but they are also teaching us, too, and they remind me that I am important, too.

Describe some of your tasks or hands-on activities that you take on at the child care center. 
I enjoy helping with the Art Center. Ms. Evelyn, the preschool teacher, assigns us to help with different centers each day. In the Art Center, students do a different activity each day. Sometimes the activities are connected to literacy, holidays, or just for fun. The activities allow the kids to be creative. I really enjoy leading this because the children are learning how to express themselves. 

The kids also get to have free play a lot in the day. I also try to include myself with them when they are playing. I like to show them how to include one another in play, how to respect your friends, and how to be a good friend. 

What led you to become an early childhood pre-apprentice? 
In my family, we have members who have special needs. I have seen how challenging that can be for my family and for the individuals. After reflecting with my mom, I realized that I want to be that helper, that teacher, for someone who has special needs. I want to support them through life. It is very personal to me, and I know it is something that I will be really good at. 

What are some things you have learned while doing your work-based learning in the child care center? 
I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned more about self-love. The preschoolers have really helped with that. I have also learned how important and necessary patience is. It is hard to learn patience, and it can be hard in preschool, but it is so important, and the kids need you to have that with them so they can learn. I have also learned how to guide others and how important it is to be mindful about your words and actions. The kids are always listening to what you say and do, and they learn from that. 

Another really important thing I have learned is how fragile children are and how important it is to be educated on how to take care of children and the safe ways to do that. In our class we have taken all of the health and safety training, First Aid and CPR, and ITS-SIDS. Those classes really helped me understand how to create and keep a safe environment. 

Tell us about something you have learned while taking the high school ECE class?
I have learned how important it is to be consistent. The kids count on you to be there and that is how they learn to trust you so they can learn, too. Even if I was not pursuing this career path, the information is really helpful to know. Everyone can learn from taking this class. Getting to work with the kids is the best part. 

How do your teachers, both in the high school classroom and at the child care center, support you in your pre-apprenticeship?
All of my teachers have supported me so much. They are always there for me to help me with whatever I need. My Early Childhood Education I teacher, Ms. Gaines, has been there for me all year, and I know I can ask her anything. I trust the education she is providing me, and she helps me so much to get through this class. For my pre-apprenticeship, I created a professional development plan. My number one goal has been to work on asking for help when I need to guide the preschoolers. The preschool teacher, Ms. Evelyn, always provides me help with this by showing me how I can respond or backing me up when I have communicated with a preschooler. She reinforces that I am also one of the teachers in the room with the children. 

What are your plans after graduating high school?
After high school I plan to get a full-time job. I was able to visit a few preschool centers that are apprenticeship sites. I am going to an interview there soon. I also am going to begin at A-B Tech, the local community college, then I would like to transfer to a four-year school, probably Western Carolina to study Special Education.

What are some of your career goals?
My career goal is to be a preschool teacher and earn an Associate degree, then eventually work as a special education teacher. I do not know what age group I want to work with yet. 

Learn more about Buncombe County Schools' ECE workforce strategy in our interview with Caitlin Johnson.