Polk State Education grad returned to school after nearly 20 years

When Tracy Garcia graduated from highschool in 2001, she attended a college however didn’t full her diploma as a result of “life took over.”

“I wasn’t certain what I needed to take action I labored my method by means of retail,” Garcia stated. “After 19 and a half years, I made a decision that was not for me. It was time for me to find out what actually makes me completely satisfied.”

After serving to to lift three stepchildren and volunteering of their colleges, she realized that she needed to work with youngsters.

“Being within the colleges was such an incredible expertise,” she added. “I used to be all the time in awe of what the lecturers did and the way nice and useful they have been with my youngsters.”

Polk State Faculty was the native, reasonably priced choice. Polk State is the one public post-secondary establishment in Polk County providing state-approved trainer training preparation packages.

Garcia found that Polk State was additionally a top quality choice that supplied the pliability to work within the colleges whereas finishing her programs and discipline research to change into a trainer. As soon as she achieved her Affiliate in Arts diploma, she enrolled within the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Program.

“I used to be capable of attend Polk State with none loans, scheduling was versatile, I loved the small class sizes, and my class was like a small group – we nonetheless communicate,” stated Garcia who graduated in 2021. “Polk State is a superb assist system.”

Polk State’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Training Program is a 60-hour, Florida state-approved trainer preparation program that builds on an Affiliate in Arts diploma. Graduates of this system are eligible for the Florida Skilled Instructor Certification inside Elementary Training with each ESOL and Studying endorsements.

“Polk State was a great match for me as a result of scheduling was by no means a difficulty. There have been day courses, night courses, and thru COVID we had on-line courses,” Garcia defined. “I used to be capable of work full-time in a faculty first instead trainer, then as a paraeducator, and achieve that have whereas working towards my diploma.”

This system consists of discipline research experiences in Polk County Public Colleges. Garcia studied at Valleyview Elementary the place she was subsequently employed. When it was time to do her internship – one other requirement constructed into the Polk State Training Program to supply hands-on, real-world expertise for trainer candidates – she went to Carlton Palmore Elementary.

“This system’s discipline experiences and internship are nice as a result of you have got the chance to see completely different classroom administration types. What works in a single classroom could not work in one other. Academics must learn the classroom and regulate primarily based on what their college students want – that was my key takeaway,” Garcia mirrored.

Now she teaches fifth grade at Valleyview.

“I felt comfy coming into the classroom as a result of Polk State’s program has a number of hands-on actions requiring the creation and execution of lesson plans,” she added. “It’s not simply lecture, it’s real-world functions of what we’re studying and that enabled me to know one of the best methods for college kids to study.”

Garcia’s principal, Jennafer Rogers, shared that Garcia is repeatedly looking for to boost her abilities and classroom.

“’A effectively ready and fascinating trainer is a catalyst…, a spark that creates the need to study in our college students,’” Rogers shared, quoting Robert John Meehan. “Mrs. Tracy Garcia is a steady spark that drives the need in her college students to study. She is all the time researching new methods to make studying thrilling and fascinating.”

Garcia encourages aspiring educators to pursue a profession in educating and their diploma at Polk State.

“It’s a very difficult profession, however it’s so rewarding within the sense that the youngsters are excited to see you and you’ve got the chance to see how a lot they develop within the 12 months that you’ve them,” she stated.

She famous the worth of attending Polk State, particularly for college kids looking for to show at Polk County Public Colleges.

“Polk State places you into Polk County colleges and that opens a number of doorways so that you can meet individuals and potential job alternatives,” Garcia defined. “It prepares you for our native lecture rooms.”