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Area of Study

Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program prepares you for a rewarding career teaching and caring for the youngest children. MCC offers several different tracks toward becoming a assistant, teacher, or ECE Director.

Becoming an Early Childhood Educator through Morgan Community College offers a wealth of benefits, both personally and professionally. The program provides a robust foundation in child development, effective teaching strategies, and practical classroom management techniques, preparing graduates to make a significant impact on young learners’ lives.

Engaging & Flexible Curriculum

The hands-on experience and engaging course content ensures that students are well-prepared for real-world challenges. Morgan Community College’s commitment to small class sizes and personalized attention fosters a supportive learning environment and enhances individual growth and skill development. Additionally, this program features a flexible schedule and class formats as well as utilizes different learning styles that benefit everyone.

Graduates emerge with a deep understanding of the critical role early education plays in shaping future success, equipped with the credentials and confidence to excel in a rewarding and impactful career.

Why Choose MCC for your Education Career?

Stack of money

Save Money

MCC is 1/3 the average cost of university with small class sizes!

Laptop with Zoom meeting

Flexible

Classes are online, evenings, or weekends with in-person, Zoom, and hybrid options.

Teacher

Experienced Faculty

Program faculty are experienced and high-qualified teachers.

School

Field Experience

Hands-on, in-classroom experience is built in to each certificate/degree.

Vanesa Sanchez

Vanesa Sanchez

Education Department Student Liaison

Fort Morgan Campus, Cedar Hall CE114

Interested in Education?

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It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you speak with an advisor to ensure you are on the right pathway.

Considering a career in early childhood education?

Our partners at TEACH Colorado will help you get started with confidence. Sign up today for free access to 1:1 advising, group webinars, multi-lingual how-to guides, and up to $1,000 in financial aid.

TeachColorado.org and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood logos
Happy male teacher with arrows points at him for financial support for future early childhood teachers

Early Childhood Education Degree & Certificate Options

Young teaching assistant works with a preschool age child on a painting project

Early Childhood Education Assistant
CERTIFICATE

Ages: Infant to preschool (3-5 years)

What? Assists teachers in infant to preschool age classrooms

Leads to: This is the first certificate all ECE students earn as it leads to all of the others

Does not: Lead a classroom, develop curriculum

Teacher smiling with a smiling baby on her lap and playing a musical instrument

Infant/Toddler Teacher
CERTIFICATE

Ages: Infant to 3 years

What? Teaches the youngest children in their most critical development years

Leads to: This certificate is a building block in the Early Childhood Education Director Certificate

Does not: Teach preschool age children

Male teacher working with a kindergarten male student on his coloring with crayons

Early Childhood Teacher
CERTIFICATE

Ages: Infant to Preschool (0-5 years)

What? Begins more formal curriculum and focuses on social skills

Leads to: This certificate is a building block in the Early Childhood Education Director Certificate

Bonus: Can also lead school age (0-12 years) after school/summer programs

Limitations: Not certified K-3rd grade

woman in professional clothing standing in a classroom with elementary school children working on a table behind her in a group

Early Childhood Education Director
CERTIFICATE

Ages: Infant to preschool classroom, school age after school/summer programs (0-12 years)

What? Manages the day-to-day of an early childhood care facility

Female teacher standing at a board writing addition equations while looking back at her students

Early Childhood Teacher Education
TRANSFER DEGREE

Ages: Birth to 3rd grade (8 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

Older male teacher with a  bushy beard holding a tablet while observing a female high school student experiment with a virtual reality headset.

Other Education Levels

Are you interested in:

  • Being a paraprofessional to assist in K-12 classrooms?
  • Teaching K-6th grade (requires Bachelors Degree)?
  • Teaching 6th-12th grade Career & Tech programs with MCC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Education
  • Teaching middle/high school levels (requires Bachelors Degree)?
Preschool teacher Kabrie Perez reading to some of her students
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.
Kabrie Perez, MCC Class of 2024

Preschool Teacher, Evans Early Childhood Center

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

Explore Career Opportunities

Male preschool teacher sitting with a group of students

Use the Career Coach widget to explore different careers that this pathway leads to. Click Visit Career Coach to dive deeper and view local, state, and national jobs open right now!

Work with Career Services throughout your educational journey so when you are ready to graduate you are prepared!

Meet the Faculty

MCC staff member Jamie Hochanadel

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.