Polk State Early Childhood Education to introduce six new courses as program grows

Polk State College’s Early Childhood Education Program has undergone a significant transformation in benefit of students and future educators, largely due to the leadership of Professor Terri Hubbard. Tasked with building up the program, she has since turned it into a dynamic and thriving educational pathway that is setting students up for success in Polk County classrooms.

Under Hubbard’s leadership, the program’s graduation rate has doubled since she was hired as a full-time faculty member in 2022. First-time pass rates on certification exams also continue to rise.

“When digging into the data, I noticed that there were still some gaps,” Hubbard explained. “We needed to find a way to empower our students with research-based practices and the integration of more upper-division courses.”

She presented a case for curriculum that would fill the void. With the support of the College Provost and her Dean for Academic Affairs, six classes are being rolled out incrementally starting in the Fall 2025 Semester for students pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education degrees: Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Early Childhood; Child Growth and Learning; Teaching Literature and Writing in Early Childhood; Practicum in Reading; Assessment and Evaluation of Young Children; and Young Children with Special Needs.

“The development of curriculum is daunting, but the excitement of what it will do for our students and our youngest children in Polk County fuels this work,” said Hubbard, who boasts nearly 35 years of experience in the early childhood education field.

How are the children?

At the start of her career, there were no degree programs for early childhood education, she explained. Now, she’s completing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education at the University of South Florida. She successfully defended her dissertation on March 14.

“Early childhood education is a way to set someone up for lifelong success,” she said. “If we can teach our youngest children life skills, social skills, reading, writing, and math, that strong foundation will ultimately contribute to our community to ensure that we thrive.

“I tell my students about a village in Africa where their strongest warriors say, ‘Kasserian Ingera,’ which translates to, ‘How are the children?’” she added. “That society believes if all the children are well, the community is thriving. I tell my students that if you want to be a changemaker, early childhood education is a great place to start.”

That is the type of passion that has captivated students like Jessica Evans, who graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and was recognized as a Rising Star in her first year at Garden Grove Elementary in Winter Haven.

“Knowing that you are a student’s first teacher and that you have that opportunity to pave the way for how their future school experience will be is a good feeling,” Evans exclaimed. “It is why we strive to give our students the best experience and a strong foundation to set them up for success.”

‘Seeing the light bulbs come on’

Evans began her career out of high school in 2010 in a private preschool while taking classes part-time at Polk State toward her Associate in Arts degree.

“Teaching just had my heart,” she quickly realized. “I joined Polk County Public Schools as a paraeducator and experienced different grade levels up to fifth grade. Through that opportunity, I knew that I wanted to work with our youngest children. I love seeing the light bulbs come on for them.”

Evans excitedly told the stories of a 3-year-old in her class who was elated to be able to write the Z in his name, and six Spanish speakers who recently started speaking English. Polk State’s Education Program integrates English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); Exceptional Student Education (ESE); and Reading K-12 Endorsement competencies into the course curricula.

Evans also highlighted the camaraderie of the Early Childhood Education cohort and the support of their professors. Balancing a full-time course load with a full-time job, she recalls how her peers and professors from her night classes developed close bonds.

“It’s not just students and professors – you’re more like a family, and those relationships live on after graduation,” Evans said. “Professor Hubbard and Professor [Joanne] Scharff are great leaders and provide prime examples from their teaching careers.”

Scharff, a proud Polk State alumna, also teaches in the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Program and recently achieved her Doctorate of Education.

Graduate Lauren Ball echoed the sentiments of Evans. Not only did the Early Childhood Education Program prepare Ball for her career, but it also connected her to the job at Spessard Holland Elementary in Bartow where she completed her internship.

“I was interning at the school when they asked me to apply. It felt good knowing that I had a job before I even graduated,” Ball said. “I found that the rigor of Polk State’s program helped me be more prepared than others. I came in ready to do more than the baseline that may be expected from a principal, and that has really helped me excel in my role.”

In addition to the internship and competencies requirements, Polk State’s Education Program also requires students to pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations before graduation.

“Other schools let you graduate without these endorsements and passing the exams,” Evans said. “These requirements were not only great motivators but also helped us to be even more prepared when we entered our classrooms.”

‘Baby steps’

Hubbard says the program is celebrating “baby steps” — no pun intended.

While the more than 50% growth in completion represents three graduates in 2022 to 10 graduates in 2024, Hubbard assures that this is only the beginning of the program’s continued success.

“We are networking with Polk County Public Schools and early childhood programs,” she explained. “We are hosting informational sessions and are always available to answer questions from prospective students.

“I’m in the relationship business,” Hubbard added. “I am grateful that my graduates reach out, invite me to their classrooms, and know that I am still here to help them through their careers.”

Evans credits the program with not only helping her build teaching skills but also for providing a strong professional network.

“The relationship I have with my professors is something I will carry with me throughout my career,” she said. “They genuinely care about your success, and it’s not just about grades. They want to see you grow as a person and as a teacher.”

Individuals interested in the Polk State Education Program can email education@polk.edu.