PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — If you visit the early childhood education program at the Presque Isle Tech Center, you will see young children smiling, laughing and engaging in a variety of activities. Children experience social, emotional, and academic growth through interacting with their peers, teachers and high school students who are enrolled in the program.
A significant component of the program is the partnership with local schools and organizations. Children ages 3-5 from the Aroostook County Action Program Head Start program attend the PITC classroom daily.
“Some of these students stay with us for two years before going on to kindergarten,” said Sara Donahue, early childhood education teacher. High school students can stay at the PITC and work with the children there, or may volunteer in another classroom. This year, Donahue’s students go to Pine Street and Zippel elementary schools and the Wintergreen Arts Center.
In this program, students learn about child development, appropriate practices and theories, as well as health, safety and nutrition.
“We use all of the information that we learn in the classroom and put it into action every day by working with the children,” Donahue said. “We can talk about behavior and the ideal way to act around young children, but it is a whole different ball game when you actually put it into practice.”
They also take the children on field trips, including walks on the bike path or even trips to the fire station.
Students in the program can also get a head start on college, saving time and money. In addition to high school credits, students can earn up to nine college credits through Northern Maine Community College.
Donahue encourages anyone who has an interest in working with children to consider attending her program as a way to explore the field, which can offer a variety of career opportunities.
“Some students want to be teachers, therapists, psychologists, social workers or childcare providers. The possibilities are endless,” Donahue said.
Since her students have varied goals after high school, Donahue tries to tailor their lab experiences accordingly,.
Presque Isle High School senior Morgan Seward always knew she wanted to work with children. A second-year student in the early childhood program, Seward has learned about child development and how to interact with the kids, as well as calming techniques to use when needed.
“I’ve learned how to speak to kids in an appropriate manner and how to handle kids in rough situations. I have a good idea of brain development and why kids do what they do at this age,” Seward said.
She added she has studied how to create lesson plans, gained insight regarding why children may engage in certain behaviors, and has learned methods to encourage them to open up and feel safe.
Seward said the classroom is like a family, where everyone works together to help the children learn the skills necessary to advance to kindergarten.
“It’s rewarding to watch the kids work towards that goal,” she said.
Seward’s experience has helped to prepare her for a career as a child psychologist. After she graduates in June, she plans to study psychology at either the University of Southern Maine or the University of Maine at Orono, and may pursue a minor in social work or criminology.
Donahue is passionate about the work that she does as a teacher.
“Many of my students come in unsure and they are reluctant to even talk to the kids, but by the end, they all find ways to form special connections with the kids. Connecting and having an impact on a child, even if you just make them smile, can brighten anyone’s day.”
The Presque Isle Tech Center (PITC) serves high school students in the Central Aroostook area including Presque Isle, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Easton, Washburn, Ashland and Mars Hill. For more information, call 207-764-1356 or visit pirctc.sad1.org.
