Early Childhood Education (ECE)
You enjoy lighting the spark of knowledge in children, and watching them grow emotionally and intellectually. Early Childhood Education involves facilitating activities that stimulate a child's interests and promote independence, build self-esteem, and create a foundation for lifelong learning. If you're considering this pathway, helping young children develop is your passion.
Mid’s Early Childhood Education Pathways allow you to develop required skills through hands-on learning. You’ll gain valuable knowledge during 200+ hours of field experience in early education settings both on and off campus. Interested in an advanced degree? Many of Mid’s ECE courses transfer seamlessly into bachelor degree programs.
Industry-Recognized Certifications from respected companies and organizations, like the American Heart Association and others, increases your employment potential by clearly demonstrating to employers the skills you have mastered. Learn more about these skill certifications below.
You can achieve your goals!
I am a mother of three energetic children and wife to a supportive husband. I began my adult life working full-time as the manager of the toy department at Walmart. After having my second child, I realized retail was not the career path I wanted to pursue.
At that point, my husband and I decided it was time for me to stay home and care for our children. While it was the best decision we could have made for our family, it was not always easy. There were many ups and downs, but the time spent with my girls made every challenge worthwhile. After introducing our son into this world, my life changed; nothing was ever going to be the same again. Shortly after his birth, he was diagnosed with a lifelong health disorder that required intense monthly treatments.
As our family grew and we managed my son’s health demands, life began to make sense again. His treatments were allowing him to grow and develop as normally as he could. When the time came for him to start school, I was terrified; I needed to be close to him. I took the opportunity to sub as a paraprofessional and assistant teacher in the elementary and preschool classrooms. I fell in love with the children and watching them grow and develop throughout the year.
Mid allowed me to continue my passion for working with children while pursuing an Early Childhood Education credential. The course times and online learning opportunities were easily juggled around being a mom and sub in the classroom. Throughout my time at Mid, I had the honor of working with great staff and a well-organized program. The instructors made my courses exciting and joyful in a relaxed learning environment. Every semester was engaging and a valuable learning opportunity that helped me develop the skills needed to be successful.
Before I knew it, I had finished the program and earned my silver cords for my academic success. I now hang those cords above my computer to remind me anything is possible. I have conquered an education I thought impossible with the highest of honors, and am continuing my passion for educating the youth of our Nation as a bachelor degree student. While I have a bit of my college education to finish, I have already set new goals to conquer. In addition to teaching young children, I hope one day to teach college students the skills needed to achieve their goals as I have. Success is possible and Mid has brightened my future and opportunities, on my path to success.
The TEACH Scholarship has been a wonderful scholarship program for me. As a licensed child care provider I wanted to further my knowledge and understanding of young children, as well as earn the credentials needed to be a childcare director of a licensed center and thanks to TEACH I was able to fulfill that goal. The scholarship paid for a large portion of my tuition and books, as well as stipends for paying my staff while I was away at class. I would highly encourage anyone working for a licensed program to apply. As a result of TEACH and my PELL grant I actually “make money” going to school. There’s really no reason not to apply! Every little bit helps!!
- Connie Marshall
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