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Three two-year colleges have collaborated with a Minnesota state university to form the North Central early Childhood Teacher Education Collaborative.
Articulation agreements between Bemidji State University, Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Central Lakes College in Brainerd, and Northwest Technical College in Bemidji forged the new initiative to better serve students across the region.
Enrollees at the two-year institutions can now complete specially designed associate degrees in early childhood education, which immediately qualifies graduates for positions in early childhood programs should they decide to enter the workforce.
Many of the graduates will elect to continue their education at Bemidji State, where they can obtain a baccalaureate degree. Upon application, these students have virtually all their credits apply toward the four-year degree in early childhood education.
The programs at each campus all have courses that are rich in real-life practicum experiences with young children.
"Graduates of the two-year colleges in early childhood education have unique dedication to their profession and are proving to be hardworking students who will make unique contributions as caring and competent teachers," said Dr. Dan Gartrell, education professor at Bemidji State.
With sizeable reductions in both the liberal education and professional education courses, these students more quickly earn their degrees and licenses to be able to care for and teach infants through third graders.
Bemidji State graduates in early childhood are gaining teaching positions in early childhood family education, Head Start and childcare programs, as well as in kindergarten and primary grade classrooms. Recent graduates are teaching across Minnesota as well as in such states as North Dakota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, and Alaska.
Dr. Barbara McDonald, Dean of Academic Affairs at Itasca Community College, noted there is a real need for graduates from the associate program within Itasca County, and qualified teachers are highly recruited in the Grand Rapids service area with the newly established Blandin Foundation initiative, Invest Early.
“It’s clear that students are excited to have this opportunity to extend their education with a degree in early childhood education,” said Brenda Johnson, lead instructor for the program at Itasca. “Bemidji State University has been a great partner for many years. This is another example of their leadership in providing educational opportunities to meet present and future needs in the field of education”.
Jennette Rydberg, primary child development instructor at Central Lakes College, stated, “This articulation agreement opens the door to continued professional development. The partner institutions have created a pathway within the career lattice of early care and education that allows a student to move in new directions.
Rebecca Best, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs added “It is CLC's goal to continue to develop partnerships and articulation agreements with our four-year university partners like BSU, to provide additional educational and career options for students."
The collaboration opens new professional directions for students who are enrolled at Northwest Technical College.
“We are very excited for the opportunities this partnership with BSU affords our learners,” said Pam Stowe, childcare instructor at Northwest Technical College. “This partnership allows them to expand their career options and paves the way for continuing professional development. It is a valuable gift to our community that will provide qualified, caring individuals to teach our children.
Rhonda Bender, division chair at Northwest Technical College, echoed that sentiment.
"It is wonderful to see the opportunities for NTC graduates expanding,” she said. “The articulation agreement established between NTC and BSU in the area of early childhood education models the kind of cooperation and affiliation that would benefit graduates from many other program areas. This agreement may serve as a prototype for other programs to follow."
All of the partner institutions are members of the Minnesota State Colleges and University system, which is comprised of 32 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges, and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state.
More information on the early childhood opportunity is available by contacting any of the two-year colleges or the Professional Education Department, Bemidji State University, Education-Art Building, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 566012-2699 (218-755-3734). |
