Vermont State University (VTSU) grad-to-be puts experience, studies to use in space unit
Vermont Business Magazine Vickie Gratton’s students can demonstrate for you exactly how the moon will cover the sun during the total eclipse on Monday—using hand puppets representing each celestial body. The preschoolers are lucky enough to finish up their two-week space unit during an historic time in the Vermont skies.
“They can understand big things,” Gratton exclaimed. “It’s important to teach them about things that are going on around them so that they can see they’re part of a bigger world. It’s not just them; it’s bigger than them. The eclipse can be scary, but I want them to know what’s happening, what they need to do to see it.” Video available here.
Gratton is finishing up her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) using Vermont State University’s (VTSU’s) all-online program. She graduates in May. She’s not new to childcare, however, having taught and cared for children for 25 years.
“I started taking care of children when my own children were small, at first taking care of just two families’ children. Since the families received subsidies, I was always registered with the state, but I was getting more asks, so eventually I became a partner with the local school district,” she related. “I teach pre-school material for 10 hours a week to the children I care for. Each child is registered with the district and the district pays me,” she added.
Along the way, Gratton has continued her education. She got her associate degree in early childhood education (ECE) by applying for credit through an assessment of prior learning. Through that program, Community College of Vermont awards credit for experiential learning. Then she began the online program at VTSU to complete her bachelor’s degree.
“Many students are taking advantage of this program,” noted Heather Duhamel, assistant professor at VTSU and program Director for ECE Online. “We have 75 students in this program from all over the state, many of whom don’t live close to a VTSU campus. The program, which is 100 percent online, allows them to work full-time while taking classes and go from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree and Vermont licensure in just five semesters,” she explained.
“Vermont needs more childcare providers and ECE teachers,” stated David Bergh, interim president of VTSU. “We take seriously our responsibility to prepare our students for jobs needed in our workforce, so I’m happy so many have responded to the opportunity; it’s also important that we were able to meet students’ needs for flexible learning with this online program.”
Despite having decades of childcare experience under her belt, Gratton said what she’s learned through the VTSU program has been “totally worth the time.”
“It helps boost my confidence—it’s learning a craft, even as someone who’s been in the field for a while,” she stated.
For those just starting out, she suggests finding a program that fits their particular needs and jump in.
“There’s a lot of opportunity in this field,” she added.
As for her burgeoning scientists, they will all leave their daycare classes equipped with eclipse glasses and a wealth of knowledge about what’s happening to share with their families during the big event.
“We’re closed the day of the eclipse,” Gratton noted. “But when they come back, we’ll debrief on our whole space unit, including their experiences with the eclipse.”
What a great way to cap it off!
About Vermont State University
Vermont State University combines the best of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College and serves students on five campuses and multiple learning sites across the Green Mountains and beyond, as well as online. Vermont State provides a high-quality, flexible, and affordable education for students seeking associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, certificates, and in-demand professional credentials. The university builds upon a history of public higher education in Vermont dating back to 1787. Learn more at VermontState.edu
Video provided, courtesy of Vermont State University
