VGCC Education Program has New Name

The Vance-Granville Community College academic program formerly known as “ Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate ” has been renamed “School-Age Education” as of the fall semester, which begins Aug. 18.

Longtime VGCC instructor Jacquelin Heath, the head of the program, said that despite the name change and other minor changes, School-Age Education continues to prepare students to work in learning environments for children in Kindergarten through Middle Childhood years. Most graduates are employed as teacher’s assistants in elementary schools. Other job opportunities include directors, teachers and assistants in after-school and before-school programs, reading assistants, in-school suspension programs, library assistants, school-age programs in day cares and exceptional children assistants.

The name change highlights the difference between two major education programs offered by the college, by focusing on the age of the children graduates will most likely serve. The other program, Early Childhood Associate , primarily trains individuals to work with pre-school-age children in child day care programs.

VGCC will offer an Associate in Applied Science degree and a diploma in School-Age Education, as well as a School-Age Care & Administration certificate. The full degree is offered at VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County. Some courses are offered at the college’s other three campuses. Day, evening and some online courses are offered. Students also complete an Internship Experience (formerly called a “Co-op”), which includes one semester of working in a public school, boys and girls club or a private institution. For more information, contact Jacquelin Heath at (252) 738-3298.