WCHS Early Childhood Education Pathway Receives Industry Certification

Ware County High School’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Pathway received industry certification status recently after completing the certification review process. Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways have the option of seeking industry certification. When a program becomes industry certified, it receives a "stamp of excellence", which represents the apex of program quality. Only those programs that have successfully undergone rigorous reviews by leaders from business and industry are recognized with this distinction. The ECE Industry Certification Review is conducted by the Georgia Early Childhood Education Foundation (GECEF). GECEF is comprised of early childhood education professionals from business/industry, post-secondary institutions/secondary institutions, representatives from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Georgia Department of Education and Georgia FCCLA.

Mrs. Colleen Lagoueyte, the CTAE teacher for the pathway, dedicated many hours to ensure that the ECE program was up to the standards. Mrs. Lagoueyte’s “EduGators,” as she calls her students, are working hard as they prepare for future careers in education and early childhood care. The foundations for the students’ program of study is made in the classroom as they learn foundational skills and educational concepts. Students also receive practical experience by taking part in clinical experiences at a local elementary school. The ECE pathway is doing a great job of helping high school students explore the educational field and prepare them for future careers.