Area of Study
Early Childhood Education (REBUILD)
Benefits of a Teaching Career
- Impact: Make a lasting impact on student lives, helping them learn, grow, and achieve their full potential.
- Job Stability: Teaching is a stable profession with consistent demand
- Time Off: Workload follows the school calendar with breaks and vacations that coincide with family time and weekends off.
- Variety: Offers a diverse range of subjects, age groups, and classroom environments, keeping the work interesting and engaging.
- Community: Become an integral parts of your local community and contribute positively to society.
- Benefits: Many teaching positions come with competitive salaries, benefits, and retirement plans.
These benefits collectively make teaching a rewarding and meaningful career choice, attracting individuals who are passionate about education and the positive impact they can have on individuals and communities.
Career Outlook
The demand for teachers remains consistently high, as educators play a crucial role in shaping the future, ensuring job stability, and offering opportunities for those passionate about education.
Interested in ECE?
Degree & Certificate Options
Early Childhood Education Assistant
CERTIFICATE
Ages: Infant to preschool (3-5 years)
What? Assists teachers in infant to preschool age classrooms
Does not: Lead a classroom, develop curriculum
Leads to: This is the first certificate all ECE students earn as it leads to all of the others
Infant/Toddler Teacher
CERTIFICATE
Ages: Infant to 3 years
What? Teaches the youngest children in their most critical development years
Does not: Teach preschool age children
Leads to: This certificate is a building block in the Early Childhood Education Director Certificate
Early Childhood Teacher
CERTIFICATE
Ages: Infant to Preschool (0-5 years)
What? Begins more formal curriculum and focuses on social skills
Limitations: Not certified K-3rd grade
Leads to: This certificate is a building block in the Early Childhood Education Director Certificate
Bonus: Can also lead school age (0-13 years) after school/summer programs
Early Childhood Education Director
CERTIFICATE
Ages: Infant to preschool classroom, school age after school/summer programs (0-13 years)
What? Manages the day-to-day of an early childhood care facility
Early Childhood Teacher Education
TRANSFER DEGREE
Ages: Infant to 3rd grade (9 years)
What? Ability to teach all ECE age children IF you earn a Bachelor’s Degree by transferring to a university
Associate Degree: Can only teach infant through preschool if you stop at this level
Other Education Levels
Are you interested in:
- Being a paraprofessional to assist in K-12 classrooms?
- Teaching K-5th grade (requires Bachelors Degree)?
- Teaching middle/high school levels (requires Bachelors Degree)?
As a parent, managing the responsibilities of family, work and full-time education can be demanding. Enrolling in Weekend College not only made my dream possible but also increased my self-confidence. The flexibility of weekend classes allowed me to maintain my focus on both family and career while completing my associate degree and earning my Early Childhood Director Certificate.
View the catalog for courses and program requirements.
Early Childhood Teacher Education
Early Childhood Education Assistant
Infant/Toddler Teacher
Early Childhood Teacher
Early Childhood Education Director
Careers & Salaries
Updated October 2023. Career information from O*Net Online.
| Position | Median |
|---|---|
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $49,690 |
| Preschool Teachers | $35,300 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $60,490 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool & Elementary | $30,920 |
Meet the Faculty
Faculty
Jamie Hochanadel, Ed. S.
Jamie started adjunct teaching in the Early Childhood Education program in Summer of 2020. Prior to working at MCC, Jamie worked for Morgan County School District at Sherman Early Childhood Center for 8 years. Jamie received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado, her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University, and her Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University.
Jamie lives in Morgan County with her husband and four children. She enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, gardening, and is an avid reader.