IEECE Launches NEW Micro-credential Initiative
By Dr. Marilys Galindo
Here at the Institute, we believe education matters. Upholding this commitment, this past fall, we rolled out a new, exciting initiative for the early childhood workforce of Palm Beach County: Micro-credentialing. Our Micro-credential program is a digital badging system that visually shows identified education pathways that move students forward to achieving proficiency in employability skills. These employability skills are essential for being a successful early childhood educator or leader, and thus are valued by employers.
During the first semester of the Micro-credential program, over 150 students completed
courses belonging to six different pathways that lead to micro-credentials. We are
excited to share that the first badge has been awarded to two students: Samoy Grizzle
from Lutheran Services Florida in South Bay and Sandra Sanchez Ortiz from Equestrian
Trail Elementary in Wellington. They earned the Creating Safety badge, which is part
of the Developing Self-Regulation micro-credential pathway.
Grizzle is an infant toddler specialist, who works with two-year old children. Grizzle stated, “I enjoy how it builds on my learning experiences.” She felt the training was very hands-on and gave her the tools she needs to successfully utilize her new skills in her classroom. When asked her reason behind seeking a badge in Creating Safety, she said, “I wanted to increase my knowledge by learning new strategies and tools to help me create a safe environment where I coach the children to understand and manage their big emotions.” Grizzle is looking forward to finishing the coursework in the other pathways she has already started.
Sanchez Ortiz is a paraprofessional, who works with prekindergarten children. She shared that she had a great learning experience while completing the courses for the Creating Safety badge. “The teachers, Ms. Slack and Ms. Rice, made a huge difference. They were very involved and helpful. They made me want to continue taking courses.” When asked why she decided to participate in the Micro-credential program, she said, “I want to be more aware and learn more since I work with children.” Ortiz plans to continue pursuing the badges in the Developing Self-Regulation micro-credential pathway, as well as begin the coursework for the Awareness and Balance micro-credential pathway.
To learn more about our micro-credentialing initiative, please contact Dr. Marilys
Galindo, research program manager, at 561-868-3667 or galindom@palmbeachstate.edu.
