Students explore careers with kids, earn college units
By CAILIN FAILING
The Tower
Students at Manteca High who aspire to be a teacher, counselor, psychologist, or work in childcare can connect with their futures through a popular Career and Technical Education program.
Manteca High teacher Lisa McIntyre has introduced two new classes to her CTE program: Intro to Child Development and Advanced Child Development, both covering the development of children from birth to the age of 5. These classes are connected with Delta College and a student must pass with at least a “B” and have a minimum of 180 community hours working under a supervisor.
Careers with Children is a yearlong program in the CTE pathway.
Students take this class if they’re interested in pursuing a career in education, or if they’d like to build skills to work with younger children.
“Or if they just like kids!” said Amanda Peters, CTE director for the Manteca Unified School District. Peters oversees the CTE programs at MUSD’s secondary schools.
Inside McIntyre’s classroom and at her job sites, students build foundational knowledge in caring for children and participate in internships at Manteca Unified schools or private preschools. Careers with Children is an off-campus program, and it covers topics such as child growth and development, communication skills and discipline curriculum planning.
Once you complete this program you will have four college classes out of the way and six college credits.
Many careers exist with children out in the world, some of them being preschool aids, teachers, counselor, social worker, psychologist, and the list goes on.
“There’s always a need for people in this field,” McIntyre said.