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SJC program specializes in producing rewarding careers in teaching
(left to right) Four-year-olds Elizabeth Rojas, Keely Cummings, Mia Gallagher and Ashlyn German practice their lesson led by San Jacinto College student Lori Velasquez.
PASADENA, Texas – The path toward a successful, fulfilling career doesn’t always begin with certainty. When Che Rogers began taking classes at San Jacinto College (SJC), she tried her hand at many areas of study, even zoology, before entering the school’s child development program.
“When I first started college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But after taking some classes in child development here, I realized that this is what I wanted,” Rogers said. “The program has taught me so much about children; the instructors have really opened my eyes to the enjoyment of teaching.”
A career as an educator is often thought of as a profession with moderate pay. However, it is a field with plenty of potential job growth as many enter retirement, creating additional job openings. The number of jobs for teachers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Those who shine as some of the country’s brightest and most influential educators often say they value the rewards of the profession. SJC students are taught early on that there’s more to education than classroom instruction.
“There are few things more rewarding than making an impact on the life of a child,” said Dr. Debbie Simpson-Smith, professor of child development at the SJC Central campus. “The child development program awards the associate of applied science degree and the certificate of technology; students are taught the skills, attitudes and competencies necessary to provide high quality care and early education in preschools and child care centers.”
Hands-on training
SJC students are encouraged to participate in observations, which include settings in both elementary and high schools, libraries and the College’s three child care centers (lab schools). The centers will soon undergo construction to provide the most up-to-date facility enhancements for an interactive educational environment.
“The lab school serves as an observational experience for child development majors, which cares for children of college employees, students and community families,” said Simpson-Smith.
Simpson-Smith said the SJC child development program fully prepares students for opportunities as a teacher; director; or owner of a profit, church-related, government (Head Start), corporate or nonprofit school for children.
Other career opportunities include working at a children’s museum, serving as a child life specialist assistant at a local hospital, a parent counselor at a child care resource and referral agency or working in an early childhood intervention program for children with special needs.
Occupational certificates include the Child Care Administrator’s Credential and Child Development Associate (CDA) training. The department also participates in TECH-PREP, a program that allows high school students to earn college credit for courses taken in high school.
The College also has an articulation agreement with the University of Houston-Clear Lake that allow students to take their academic courses, four child development courses and two education courses at San Jacinto College. All classes are offered day, night and through distance learning.
The A.A.T.
SJC students who want to teach in an elementary school can start on their bachelor’s degree with the EC-6 (Early Childhood Specialization) curriculum.
The College’s Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board-approved degree program consisting of lower division courses intended for transfer to a baccalaureate program that leads to Texas teacher certification. It is fully transferable to all Texas public universities.
Options available to students include the EC-6 and 4-8, the generalist certification option; 8-12, certification with teaching field or discipline concentration; and the EC-12, all level certificates.
“This program at San Jacinto College is unique because of the dedicated faculty that have years of teaching experience in a variety of school settings and grade levels,” said Simpson-Smith. “Each faculty member that teaches the education courses has at least a master’s degree in the field of education.”
San Jacinto College serves more than 27,000 students in over 140 degrees and certificates in university transfer and technical programs. The College also serves the community through workforce training. Students come with various goals and aspirations and we are committed to their success. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.
For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150 or visit www.sanjac.edu.
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