CTC partners with Nenana on dual credit program for high school students
Preschoolers sit around a mock campfire in their classroom under the guidance of Early Childhood Education teachers.
High school students in Nenana will complete Career and Technical Education courses this year through a new partnership between Alaska school districts and the UAF Community and Technical College Early Childhood Education program.
The creation of the dual credit program was initially funded by a small Alaska Department of Education and Early Development grant.
Twenty-four students in Nenana are engaged in ECE Curriculum 1, a 3-credit course, focused on early literacy and developmentally appropriate teaching practices, as they work with 3- to 5-year-old children in their high school’s preschool class. Toward the end of their academic year, the students will also complete a 1-credit class exploring ECE as a potential career.
With a critical shortage of caregivers and teachers for very young children, this program is a step toward building a stronger ECE workforce. For more information, contact Megan at mmhuerd@alaska.edu.