• Works at a St. Paul Child Care Center with preschoolers
• Advises students to take advantage of the experience and knowledge of their teachers AND classmates
• SAVE your assignments and activities, you WILL use them!

• Works with Project SPIRIT Freedom School and the St. Paul Schools.
• Now enrolled at Concordia College, majoring in Education with an emphasis in Special Education (2nd year).
• Selected to be a Children's Defense Fund/Freedom School Ella Baker Trainer, which trains the Freedom School nationally and locally in the 80 cities nation wide.
• Always gives honor to his experiences in the Child Dev AAS program of Saint Paul College.  Advises students to find a “Study Buddy”, ask for help.

• Works as a toddler teacher at Knowledge Beginnings.
• Thanks to the teachers at SPC, I have the strength and courage to become an effective teacher.
• I love being a part of a child’s learning experience and helping them grow along the way!
• I really encourage anyone who loves children to pursue a career in teaching.  It’s an amazing job!

“My name is Phoenix, and I am an alumnus of Saint Paul Tech. College. At that time, I was a pre-school teacher, and thought I wanted to teach the little ones and give them their first foundation to their educational beginnings. When I attended St. Paul Tech, it was just to take one class to renew my CDA (Child Development Associate) degree. After taking that class, I figure why not go for my AAS degree.

After going for two years at St. Paul Tech, and graduating with a husband, and seven children still to take care of, I didn’t want to stop there. Then after many discussions with my family, I wanted their blessing to continue with my education and enter higher education. When I was teaching pre-K, it came to my attention that I was helping the parents, and felt good about doing so, so as an educator and a parent I switched my major from educating children to educating parents. I attended Metropolitan State University for another two years a got my BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) Degree.

My next step is to take my Social Work license, then get my masters in Social Work. My own philosophy is if we as a society can educate the parents in setting good foundations for their children, we are nurturing the future Presidents, Doctors, and Lawyers. And that’s something to think about. We as a society need to go back to the Village Mentality: it’s not only one person to look over the children of tomorrow. It’s everyone’s job.”

My learning experiences at Saint Paul College provided a gateway out of stagnation and a bridge to worlds of opportunity and knowledge.  I registered for my first class to renew my CDA, yet little did I know how inspiring and motivating it would be.  Wanting to learn more, I went on to finish my AAS in Child Development.  Since then I have graduated with a BA in Early Childhood Studies, still working in the same field, Family Child Care.  By specializing my program and using the knowledge and experiences from my education, I continue to grow and learn, reaching new goals both personally and professionally.

Saint Paul College prepared me by giving me a safe, nurturing environment to begin my college experience. The classes were specific to my interests, giving me the information as well as hands-on application. I learned what to do, how to do it, and why it was so important to caring for children.  My advice for new or prospective students is to not be afraid or overwhelmed by starting or returning to college.  Everyone feels nervous at the beginning; I did even at age 43. 

At St. Paul College everyone has unique experiences, skills and talents to bring to the classroom.  The teachers and the classes are respectful and encouraging.  When you have finished your program, you will know you worked hard, but it will be worth it.  It gave me the satisfaction that I know what I am doing and can contribute positively to a child's life.  And most of all, it gave me a level of confidence that has stayed with me, continuing to strengthen and challenge me to pursue new goals."

Kelly

Works as a tutor at Knowledge Points Tutoring Center. Helps children with their SRA curriculum, it's a great job working with school-age kids - I love it!
I also provide child care in my home to one family of two children on a part time basis…
The degree helped me get the job at the tutoring center because a degree was required along with experience working with children...