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http://www.athenstech.edu/Spotlight.cfm?i=451
5/30/2013
Athens Technical College - Spotlight
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ATC Spotlight
High school students earn TCCs through dual enrollment
Eleven Northeast Georgia high school students recently earned Technical Certificates of Credit in Early Childhood Care and Education Basics
from Athens Technical College through dual enrollment programs at their schools.
Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college-level courses during the same school terms that they are taking high school
classes. The students can earn credit toward their high school diploma and a college degree at the same time.
Nine of the high school students who earned the Early Childhood Care and Education Basics TCC from the college represented the first group to
complete a college credential through the Athens Community Career Academy, said Tracie McGhee, who serves as the high school coordinator for
Athens Technical College. McGhee manages all dual enrollment programs for the 10-county area served by the college. The college oversees the
Athens Community Career Academy for the Clarke County School District.
The dual enrollment program offers several options — including scholarship opportunities — for earning college credit while in high school. The
program can be a game-changing opportunity for students to get a head start toward college and the job market, Ms. McGhee said.
“Many students have told me that dual enrollment has changed their lives, and that without it, they would not have been successful at the next
collegiate level, because it prepared them for what college is really like,” Ms. McGhee said. “Dual enrollment and the college advisement process we
provide help students learn how to be successful and begin the next stage toward a successful future both personally and professionally.”
“Through this program, they can get in the workforce faster with skills and expertise provided by the technical college, which yields a bettertrained and professional workforce,” she added.
The 11 high school students who earned their TCCs from Athens Technical College this spring comprised five graduates and six rising juniors.
The group consisted of four students from Cedar Shoals High School, five students from Clarke Central High School, and two students from Green
County High School. This summer, five of the students will be taking college classes on the Athens Campus.
The group of students who earned their TCCs in Early Childhood Care and Education Basics included Naomi Deal, Miriam Gatica, Monika
Mathis, and Stephin Nichols, 2013 graduates of Cedar Shoals; Cherish Gresham, Deanna Howard, Dajah Johnson, Adara Simmons, and Adrienne
Wingfield, rising seniors at Clarke Central; and rising senior Roxanne Peña, and 2013 graduate Renee Terrell from Greene County.
In assessing the dual enrollment program, students used their own words to describe what they learned and what the experience of earning a TCC
meant to them.
"I learned how to be more professional and not let others interfere with my success,” Adrienne Wingfield wrote. “I also learned how to work
effectively with children at the Early Learning Center."
"I learned numerous things, such as how to properly care for a child, how to recognize children who are being neglected and or abused, and most
of all, how to appreciate people like Mrs. Elder who actually want you to succeed,” stated Adara Simmons.
Ms. Simmons referred to Reneta Elder, who served as the Early Childhood Care and Education Basics instructor during spring semester. Andrea
Lott taught the classes during fall semester.
The students earned the Early Childhood Care and Education Basics TCC by completing and passing three classes over two semesters. The three
classes — Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education; Child Growth and Development; and Health, Safety, and Nutrition — comprise the
first three courses needed on the pathway to earn the Early Childhood Care and Education diploma and degree.
More than 20 area high schools offer their students dual enrollment options with Athens Technical College. During fall semester, 227 high school
students took college level courses through dual enrollment with the college. There were 213 dually enrolled spring semester.
Photo caption: Clarke Central High School students who earned their Early Childhood Care and Education Basics TCC this spring through dual enrollment with Athens Technical
College were: (Pictured left to right with Principal Robbie Hooker) Adrienne Wingfield, Deanna Howard, Cherish Gresham, Dajah Johnson, and Adara Simmons.
Don Nelson
706 227-5460
Athens Technical College * 800 US Hwy 29 North * Athens, Ga * 30601 * 706-355-5000 * A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia
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As set forth in its student catalog, Athens Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information,
veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). The following individuals have been designated to coordinate the college's implementation of nondiscrimination
policies: Keli Fewox, Director of Student Support, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, Office H-748, 706/355-5081, [email protected], Dr. Leslie Crickenberger, Executive Director of
Human Resources, Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX Coordinator (Employees), Office J-211B, 706/355-5140, [email protected], and Andrea Daniel, Vice President of Student Affairs, Title IX Coordinator (Students),
Office H-774, 706/355-5029, [email protected], 800 U.S. Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601.
http://www.athenstech.edu/Spotlight.cfm?i=451
5/30/2013
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