Lori Barrett, Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator
Laboratory Preschool Director
144 Education Building / (304)367-4848
Locust Avenue Campus
Lori.Barrett@pierpont.edu
Program Purpose
The Early Childhood Teaching Assistant Advanced Skill Set Certificate is designed for individuals currently employed as a Teacher’s Aide III in a public school setting. Completion of this Skill Set allows promotion to Teacher’s Aide IV.
This 15 credit hour Advanced Skill Set builds on the six credit hours required for the Teacher’s Aide Skill Set and provides coursework to strengthen the teaching assistant’s effectiveness in the classroom.
NOTE: Students in this program must pass a background check.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Teaching Assistant Advanced Skill Set Certificate, completers are able to do the following:
- Analyze health and safety practices in the early childhood environment
- Identify and implement appropriate sanitation practices in the early childhood classroom
- Identify and obtain documentation necessary for employment in a child care center as required by the West Virginia Child Care Licensing regulations
- Recognize appropriate curriculum for a quality early childhood program
- Apply classroom guidance techniques in work with young children
- Incorporate knowledge of early childhood developmental processes and theories related to growth and learning into developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) experiences
Opportunities
The Early Childhood Teaching Assistant Advanced Skill Set Certificate will satisfy the West Virginia Department of Education’s qualifications for teacher’s Aide IV and allows current teacher’s aides a pathway for advancement with courses that can also be applied towards the Early Childhood AAS Degree.