Fall Institute 2022: Pre-Panel Discussion

Hello! My name is Tricia McKay and I am the Program Director for the Child Development and Early Education Associate Degree program at Lansing Community College in Michigan. When I think about the progress we have made in community college teacher preparation programs over the last 20 years, one of the first things that comes to mind, especially in early childhood education teacher preparation, is accreditation and meeting professional preparation standards. Achieving accreditation and aligning our teacher preparation programs with national standards has strengthened our credibility in higher ed. and increased the quality of education that we are providing for our students. Where do I hope to see us in the next 20 years? My biggest hope is that early childhood education as field is no longer viewed as a service industry with low wages, but is seen as the education profession that is truly is, in which early childhood educators are valued, respected, and well compensated.

Hello! My name is Rae Miyasaki, and I am a short three months into my role as an Instructional Services Coordinator for Special Education at Rio Salado College. As a lifelong educator, I have also served Arizona’s students as a special education teacher, 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, and as a Math Coach. It is during my ten years working as a Math Coach where I worked alongside elementary teachers to effectively deliver math lessons that engaged, motivated, and inspired students to make sense of mathematical numbers, concepts, and problems that my love for teacher growth and proficiency was sparked. While I am new to the Community College scene, I am very excited to be an integral part of where Rio Salado's Educator Preparation Program is headed. Alongside two of our sister Community Colleges, Rio Salado is on track and preparing to offer a dual Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education beginning in Fall 2023.

Hello! My name is Cecelia Monto and I serve as Dean of Education, Languages and Social Sciences at Chemeketa Community College in Oregon and as Vice President of NACCTEP. I have learned so much from the NACCTEP organization, which has supported the work in my state to create efficient transfer pathways in teacher education. As I look to the future, NACCTEP's policy work is critical to address the teacher shortage and diversify the teaching workforce. I am hopeful to continue learning and contributing in this area.

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to NACCTEP's Fall Institute, Reflecting on the Legacy of Community College Teacher Education Programs Over the Past 20 Years! My name is Julie Ferin and I am proud to serve as the Executive Director of NACCTEP. I also serve as an Instructional Coordinator for Rio Salado College’s Educator Preparation Program overseeing curriculum and instruction and this is my eighteenth year working in community college teacher education. I am a former community college student who always dreamed of being a classroom teacher. It seems chiche’, but I never considered another career. I hope to see community colleges continue providing pathways to bring effective, life-changing teachers into the classroom to inspire students. In the next 20 years, I hope that more teachers feel valued and admired by their students, local communities and nation-wide.

Having the Legacy of NACCTEP joining in the panel discussion tomorrow is a huge honor. I want to recognize Dr. Cheri St. Arnauld; Dr. Ray Ostos; Mrs. Kim Tobey; and Dr. Linda Gronberg-Quinn as leaders of NACCTEP, who have dedicated their careers to education and ensuring their voices are elevating the teaching profession.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone!

Julie

My name is Angie Stratton and I have worked with Rio Salado College’s Educator Preparation Program for over 13 years. I have also served Arizona’s K-12 students as a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade teacher, instructional coach and literacy specialist. This is my first year as a NACCTEP executive board member and I am excited to contribute to advancing our work in raising awareness about the pivotal role that community colleges play in teacher education today.

From a very young age, I understood how important education was, and still is, to my father. We both attended Southeastern Community College (SCC) in Burlington, Iowa before transferring to the University of Iowa (about twenty years apart). Since I started college at the age of 17, attending a community college was a smart choice as I received personalized guidance and class sizes were relatively small. Reflecting back, the community college offered me a smaller community of peers, one I felt I could get involved in and make a difference. Back then (well over twenty years ago), they didn’t offer a two-year “teacher education” degree that seamlessly transferred to a four-year college. While I graduated, in four years, with approximately 15 credits more than I needed, I wouldn’t change the time I spent at SCC. Not only was it a good value, it gave me the start and support I needed to become the teacher I am today.

More than 20 years later, It seems logical to me that community college teacher preparation programs are gaining more recognition as the combination of quality, convenience and affordability are second to none. Since my college days, many community colleges have developed two-year teacher education degrees which easily transfer to a four-year college. It's exciting to note that, pending the Higher Learning Commission’s approval, Rio Salado College (along with Glendale and Paradise Valley Community Colleges) plans to offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Elementary Education and Special Education to begin as early as the Fall of 2023. This is certainly something to celebrate!

I am proud to be a part of a community college teacher education program that emphasizes high leverage teaching practices, aligns with InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, and maximizes the use of innovative technology to enhance instruction. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen and elevate our teacher preparation program, collaborate and connect with our colleagues to share ideas, and continue to shine a spotlight on the benefits of attending a community college teacher preparation program.

I am Shannon Delgado from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. I have been an Associate Professor of Education in the Teacher Preparation program for the past nine years. This is my first year as an executive board member and I am eager to learn from all of you and share my experiences as well. I started my educational journey over 20 years ago in a community college in Illinois as a first-generation college student. During this time, I was discouraged from taking Education courses as they would not transfer to a four-year institution. My only focus at the community college level was general education requirements. I spent the first few years insisting I wanted to be a first grade teacher. It wasn't until I transferred to a four-year institution that I was able to observe a classroom teacher. My first experience was in a first grade classroom because that was what I had my heart set on. That experience changed my mind drastically and almost made me change my major. If I did not have a professor guide me into observing a middle school classroom, I would not be where I am today.

Community college teacher preparation programs help to guide students in the right direction. Community colleges are an affordable way for students to discover different degree options and get the guidance and individualized support needed to make career choices. Community college teacher preparation programs went from almost non-existent to offering baccalaureate degrees and post-baccalaureate licensure. I see community colleges as the most cost efficient and beneficial way for students who wish to earn their teaching degree in a setting that is nurturing and provides them with a well-rounded and meaningful education. My main job and focus as a community college professor is teaching. Students learn from content area experts, not teacher's assistants. I am excited to be part of this evolutionary transformation.