Open Discussion Forum

I am the Education Program Coordinator at a local community College. I am over the Early Childhood Development Program, Elementary Education Program and the Residential Care Program.  Our enrollment numbers have dropped considerably in the last couple of years.  Does anyone have any ideas of how we can recruit students to enroll and complete college programs.  We offer many other programs as well such as Business, General  Education Degree, Nursing, Associates in Science etc.  We also offer several certificate programs, Welding, phlebotomy, nursing, Commercial Drivers Licenses.  But my focus is on the Early Childhood Development Program.  In our area we are in demand for teachers, aides, and other staff in our HeadStart Programs, Day Care facilities and other child care facilities.  Does anyone have any great ideas of how we can promote individuals to focus their interest in this field of study?  It is so important for our children to receive the care that they need to develop and learn to become strong, intelligent adults in our world today.  So many times I  hear parents say  we start educating these children  way to soon. I disagree with that. children begin learning the minute they enter the world and the more we can encourage and support that learning the stronger adults they will become. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

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Sherry Michael
Education Program Coordinator
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Scherr WV
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​There is a documentary film called No Small Matter that I have not yet seen - but have read about and the research and process behind putting it together. Its all about the importance of the first 5 years and why we should be putting much more of ourselves in a space that supports and encourages the development of early years. I'm hoping to find a copy and be able to invite a community to view together. I'm wondering if this might spur some people into exploring their investment in studying ECE and enter into a somewhat exhausting but very life giving career!

www.nosmallmatter.com

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Raquel Dewitt
Early Learning Center
Warner Pacific University
Portland, Oregon
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2019 08:16 AM
From: Sherry Michael
Subject: Recruitment

I am the Education Program Coordinator at a local community College. I am over the Early Childhood Development Program, Elementary Education Program and the Residential Care Program.  Our enrollment numbers have dropped considerably in the last couple of years.  Does anyone have any ideas of how we can recruit students to enroll and complete college programs.  We offer many other programs as well such as Business, General  Education Degree, Nursing, Associates in Science etc.  We also offer several certificate programs, Welding, phlebotomy, nursing, Commercial Drivers Licenses.  But my focus is on the Early Childhood Development Program.  In our area we are in demand for teachers, aides, and other staff in our HeadStart Programs, Day Care facilities and other child care facilities.  Does anyone have any great ideas of how we can promote individuals to focus their interest in this field of study?  It is so important for our children to receive the care that they need to develop and learn to become strong, intelligent adults in our world today.  So many times I  hear parents say  we start educating these children  way to soon. I disagree with that. children begin learning the minute they enter the world and the more we can encourage and support that learning the stronger adults they will become. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

------------------------------
Sherry Michael
Education Program Coordinator
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Scherr WV
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