When Teachers Learn Better, Children Thrive I expected that training would make me feel more prepared, and it did. However, I didn’t anticipate how much it would change the atmosphere in my classroom. After applying what I learned through ECE University, the strategies I practiced, the habits I built, and …
Why “Free” State Courses Cost More Than You Think I used to sign up for free state courses without a second thought. They met the requirements, didn’t cost anything, and seemed like the easiest way to get things done. On paper, it made sense. However, every time I completed a …
From Frustration to Growth There was a time when “training season” felt like something to survive. I’d rush home, open my laptop on the couch, and spend long evenings clicking through slides or videos, just to finish the requirements. I wasn’t learning, I was racing the deadline. Every year felt …
The Power of Practicals and Mentorship When I took my first ECE University course, I expected the usual experience: finish the modules, take a quiz, download the certificate, file it away, and move on. However, what I received was something entirely different. Instead of an “activity sheet,” I was given …
Beyond the Certificate When I first started in early childhood education, I viewed certificates as the finish line. They were proof that I had completed the work, watched the videos, answered the quiz questions, and checked the box. I would hang them proudly, stack them in a file, and move …
How Training with Role Play Changed My Confidence The first time I logged into ECE University, I expected the usual routine — read a paragraph, click next, watch a video, answer a quiz, get the certificate. That’s been the rhythm of most professional development. It gets you compliant, and that’s …
The Science of Retention in Learning Anyone can watch a video and click “next.” That’s not learning, that’s checking a box. The uncomfortable truth in early childhood education is that many training programs stop there. The state gets its paperwork. The teacher gets a certificate. The classroom gets… no real …
Compliance vs. Competence Every teacher knows the feeling: “I just need to get my hours done.” You scroll through a state-approved course, pass the quiz, upload your certificate, and check the box. Technically, you’re done. But here’s the truth that few like to admit: compliance and competence are not …
The Day I Froze in My Classroom I’ll never forget it. Two kids started arguing during playtime. Voices rose. Toys flew. One started crying. And me? I froze. Just a week prior, I had completed a “behavior management” course. It covered the usual topics: definitions of different behavior types, …