Human Services
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Early Childhood Education (ECE) will explore the foundations of early learning. Students will examine theories defining the field, issues, trends, best practices, and program models. ECE is a year-long course that provides daily opportunities to develop and practice skills essential for successful teaching in the field of Early Childhood Education. Classroom learning will focus on understanding the learner, child development, planning instruction, best practices in teaching and assessment strategies, and preparation for the Washington State Paraeducator Certification. Students will understand how culture, equity, and opportunity are key to building a healthy learning community. Students from Mukilteo district will engage in daily job-shadowing experiences at Pathfinder Kindergarten/Pre School-Center that include how to personalize learning, play to learn, social and emotional development, and behavior support.
Sno-Isle TECH Early Childhood Education program is a unique program being offered at Sno-Isle TECH where students from day one, will be learning at Pathfinder Kindergarten Center. Students in the Early Childhood Education program will train for Early Childhood Education & Para Educator roles with the opportunity to earn 12 college credits at EvCC, giving a head start on their college career. Our students will also participate in STARS training and will be given the opportunity to sit for the Para Educator Certification exam with OSPI during the course.
This will be held as a satellite program in various districts. Please check with your school counselor for availability in your district.
Meet the Instructor
Viveca Smith
Hello future early education difference makers!
Viveca Smith began her teaching studies at Barry University in Miami, Florida with a focus in English Language Learners and Elementary Education. After graduation, she began teaching for Broward County schools and discovered a deep interest in how children learn to read. Viveca became trained in the Fundations/Wilson Reading System and soon after became a Reading Specialist, where she worked with district leaders and staff to develop reading programs for students. In 2008, she earned her master’s degree in educational leadership at Florida Atlantic University. From 2010-2020, her career took her across the world where she worked as a reading specialist and ELL teacher at international schools in Indonesia, Germany, South Africa, and Thailand. During this time, she deepened her knowledge and expertise in the Primary Years Program (PYP) at International Baccalaureate schools and participated in numerous professional development opportunities including Harvard’s Project Zero, Linda Mood Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing and The Science of Reading.
Viveca joined the Sno-Isle TECH family in August of 2023, with the aim to assist future early child educators to become flexible, creative, professional, difference makers who have a strong foundation in child development and how children best learn. The ECE program includes a yearlong internship at a local kindergarten center where students take classes onsite and work directly with kindergarten students daily. Students will also visit local schools specializing in Montessori, Emilio Reggio, and Waldorf based learning, adding to their toolbox of strategies and theories for working with young students.
If you ever wondered if you should become a teacher or work in the early childhood field, this is the program for you!