Early Childhood Education
The Early Children Education program provides a student with two options: a ZA endorsement or an Associate of Arts degree. For the ZA endorsement, a student will earn a minor which will then leads to the Early Children Endorsement (ZA endorsement) on the Elementary Teaching Certificate in the State of Michigan. The other option is a relatively new early childhood program at Cornerstone University – the Associate of Arts degree.
Division of Education
Meet the Teacher Education Division Faculty
Degree: ZA Endorsement or Associate of Arts
- What can I do with this minor?
The ZA Endorsement
This "specialist's endorsement" provides expertise in teaching children from birth through age 8. This includes infant, toddler and preschool programs, as well as Kindergarten through Grade 3 in elementary schools. It is a highly valued endorsement for those who plan to teach in early elementary grades.
Associate of Arts Degree
Students selecting this program track can be qualified for school paraprofessional positions, Head Start teachers, childcare and preschool teachers and, in some cases, administrative positions within early childhood programs. Students, who decide at a later date to pursue their four-year degree and become certified as an elementary teacher, can apply all the classes required of the associate degree and begin where they left off! Students are required to take the Cornerstone Core, General Education Core for education students as well as five early childhood courses and a six-credit internship in a childcare or preschool program for a total of 64 credits.
Child Development Associate Credential
Another option for Early Childhood students is to earn their CDA, Child Development Associate Credential. The CDA is a national certification and credentialing program. "A CDA is one who is ‘able to meet the specific needs of children and who, with parents and other adults, works to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth in a child development framework.’ "
For more information, contact the Teacher Education Office (616.222.1432) or Dr. Kerisa Myers, ext. 1363, Kerisa_A_Myers@cornerstone.edu.
- Why choose Early Childhood Education at Cornerstone?
The Teacher Education department is currently aware of several school districts in Michigan who will only hire teachers with their early childhood endorsement (early childhood minor as part of the four-year elementary education program) for lower elementary positions. Due to federal legislation such as No Child Left Behind, current focus on brain research and the importance of quality early educational experiences, this is a marketable and viable program for any elementary student to consider seriously.
The Associates of Arts program is a beneficial choice for those desiring to work in school districts as substitute teachers and paraprofessionals.
- Interesting classes I may take?
Early Childhood Curriculum is the foundational course for this program. Students learn about different types of curricula and theorists in the field. Students also may visit a Reggio Child Development Center and Montessori school as well as observe in an early childhood classroom during the course.
Without a doubt, Preprimary Methods and Materials is an interesting and exciting class to take! Each week different learning centers are set up that would typically found in an early childhood classroom. Students are encouraged to remember what learning through play feels like and looks like to a young child. Students often get on their hands and knees as they participate in the activities to help in that reflective process! One of the favorite weeks is mud, sand and water play!
- What are grads doing now?
- Graduates of our Early Childhood program are working at teachers in public elementary schools, child development centers, preschools, Montessori and Head Start programs, directors of before/after school programs and other early childhood programs, and even activity directors at retirement homes (a recent Associate of Arts graduate!).
“The Early Childhood program here at Cornerstone University offers participants the opportunity to see firsthand how developmental milestones come to life through both textbook and other media, and professionals experienced in the field, who offer their time to share with those who are certain to become certified teachers with their own classrooms. The required internships provide multi-faceted avenues of classroom involvement which will widen the chances graduates have of being prepared to be Master Teachers.” Professor Lisa Norris, early childhood Instructor
Cornerstone University Catalog
