Erie 1 BOCES Early Childhood Education Program Recognized
The development of the next generation of teachers and the support of families in Erie 1 BOCES’ Early Childhood Education program was recognized with the New York State School Boards Association’s Champions of Change Award.
The award recognizes programs and initiatives that are bringing positive, meaningful change to the students, communities and districts of New York.
“At Erie 1 BOCES, we are extremely proud of the programs we provide to the students of WNY. The Early Childhood Education Program is not an exception, this program allows for the opportunity for high school students to master the skills they have learned in a real learning lab with ‘littles,’” said Anedda Trautman, Erie 1 BOCES’ assistant superintendent of instructional services. “The pre-school and playgroup allows our students to practice real life application.”
The two-year Early Childhood Education program is operated out of the BOCES’ Harkness, Kenton and Potter Career and Technical Education Centers, and gives high school students the chance to learn lessons in the classroom and to operate their own preschool and playgroup. Participating students are also given opportunities to participate in programs with the Buffalo Zoo, Children's Hospital, and the YMCA.?
The high school students’ work was praised by one of the young students in their care. Jordan, a three-year-old student in the program at the Potter Career and Technical Education Center, wrote a letter to the school’s principal, Lucas Vogel, detailing his favorite parts of the program.
“I was able to get my hands full of paint and make different designs on construction paper that made my family so happy to see,” Jordan said. “There was so much to do that I didn't have time to miss my mom.”
The program’s impact for students big and small was also noted in coverage by WKBW, which noted the program’s offerings come at a time when New York State reports the need for approximately 180,000 new teachers over the next decade to meet the needs of the workforce.
Details about the Early Childhood Education program can be found at https://www.e1b.org/en/k-12-education-programs/early-childhood-education.aspx. More information about the Career and Technical Education programs at Erie 1 BOCES can be found at https://www.e1b.org/en/k-12-education-programs/career-and-technical-education.aspx.