What’s happened:
The Hammond Area Career Center (ACC) kicked off its second quarter the week of Halloween. This allowed for students to refresh and enjoy their anticipation leading up to Halloween.
In the Early Childhood Education (ECE) class, students worked on fun and exciting interactive learning activities. Students like Roman Zaragoza were able to make fun activities based around things like reading and using the fine motor skills that children begin to develop. The students were able to do things like sort through the insides of a pumpkin and use their team skills.
This class focuses on teaching the students not only how to work with kids, but how to understand them as well. Children express themselves in a variety of ways and the students learn how to understand and help the children based on their expressed needs.
Through the ECE class, students are able to get hands-on experience by going out in the field and working with children one-on-one. In addition to this, students are able to talk to other ECE instructors and get even more help from the professionals. First-year students in the ECE program also earn 12 college credits their first year, an additional three credits their second year, and the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification.
What’s coming up:
As the students move into the second half of the semester, more of the courses are going to be focusing on SkillsUSA.
SkillsUSA is a career and technical learning program that is used to further the quality of the students' work as they compete at regional, state, and national levels. It offers a variety of scholarships exclusively for its members.
The ACC participates in SkillsUSA every year with a handful of their programs. The students compete with the surrounding technical education centers in the area.
The ACC has proudly won a multitude of state championships in career paths, such as ECE and the Radio/TV program. Students use the skills that they acquired in their career classes to create and model their talents at SkillsUSA.
Teacher spotlight:
ECE Teacher Wendy Akers has been in the field for 25 years. Akers has worked at every level from nanny to administration and has now been the ECE teacher for the last nine years.
Akers enjoys teaching her students and watching them learn new things.
“I enjoy teaching young minds all about the ins and outs of early childhood education. I have been in this industry for a long time and know there is such a need for quality educators and advocates for children,” said Akers. “I see every day as a wonderful opportunity to inspire and teach my students to do what they love. Whether it is teaching young children, doing social work or therapy, being in elementary education, being a pediatrician, or the many other careers working with children, I really enjoy it.”
Akers was an ACC student herself before she began her career 25 years ago. She did a complete circle back to where she started. Akers has had many positions in the field, but she feels best teaching at the Hammond ACC and molding the minds of her students.
“I really love that the ACC allows my students to go out and get hands-on experience working in childcare centers. Then, I go out and observe them and make sure they are actually utilizing the skills that they learn in class,” said Akers. “I love it.”
Student spotlight:
The Hammond ACC class is predominantly girls, but Roman Zaragoza is the exception.
Zaragoza is a junior from Hammond Central and spends his morning at the ACC. Zaragoza is the only male in the classroom setting which is what makes him stand out. Zaragoza said he always worked well with children and that he often got complimented on that. Zaragoza wants to be a teacher or a childcare director after he completes this program, which he has really enjoyed since it has allowed him to be himself in the truest form.
“I really like the people. In normal school, I can’t present myself how I am here, but everyone here makes it really comfortable,” Zaragoza said.
He enjoys being able to work with others who have an interest in the same field. Zaragoza understands that a male in this field isn’t common, but he does not let that hold him back in the classroom. He has a passion for advocating for children and that shines through in the classroom.
“I look forward to learning how to teach children. I’ve always been good with children, but I don’t know how to teach them. That’s what I’m really looking forward to,” said Zaragoza.
Akers also commented on Zaragoza’s performance in the classroom.
“Roman is always prepared for class. He has excellent attendance, academics, and dependability, and has worked hard to gain a stronger skill set that definitely shows in recent presentations,” said Akers. “Roman loves developing creative lessons and activities to use with children in his upcoming internship. His positive mindset along with sense of humor and quirkiness fits right in while role-playing in the classroom.”