Polk State’s Early Childhood baccalaureate program partners with Early Bird kindergarten readiness initiative

Polk State College’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Program has partnered with Polk County Public Schools to deliver hands-on literacy support through the Early Bird initiative, giving incoming kindergarten students a strong start while providing future teachers with classroom experience.

At Willow Oak School in Mulberry, the Early Bird initiative invites rising kindergarteners to participate in a six-week summer program of developmentally engaging activities. Students build essential literacy skills through phonics and phonological awareness lessons while also learning routines that ease their transition to school, from walking in line to playground etiquette.

Polk State’s teacher candidates lead small-group instruction with 4- and 5-year-olds, applying data-driven teaching strategies they have learned in their degree program. Under the direct mentorship of their professor, Dr. Terri Hubbard, candidates administer formative assessments, analyze student data, plan targeted lessons and practice what they call “pedagogical pivot” – adjusting instruction in real time based on children’s needs and engagement.

“We can’t replicate this in a college classroom,” Hubbard said. “This practicum was designed to allow our teacher candidates real-life, in-person experience while receiving on-site mentorship. We are serving the youngest students in Polk County while developing our teacher candidates’ capacity.

Principal Michelle Townley echoed the benefits for both her students and Polk State’s.

“It is a great joy in my day to be able to come down here to the Early Learning Center, and to see our teacher candidates in action with our experienced teachers as well as our students…, learning from them and learning with them,” she shared. “The partnership with Polk State is very valuable to us. We have been able to hire several Polk State graduates, and we are honored to be hosting these early childhood candidate teachers.”

With a 100% pass rate on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, Polk State’s Education Program prides itself on its real-world applications and its partnership with Polk County Public Schools, which help ensure career-ready graduates who are prepared to lead local classrooms. To give students a workforce advantage, Polk State provides English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); Exceptional Student Education (ESE); and Reading K-12 Endorsement competencies within its curriculum.

Students emphasized the value of practicing what they have learned in the classroom.

“This is a step up,” said Kaylee Wise, who was inspired to become a teacher by her mom who graduated from the same program. “Polk State has prepared me by providing me with the opportunity to bring my skills to the classroom and by giving me new experiences like this in the Early Bird initiative.”

“For me, this is everything,” said Stacey Rodriguez. “I love working with early childhood students, building that strong foundation that they’re going to have and apply to everything that they do. I love to see those light bulbs go off in their heads when they’re making connections and growing.”

Individuals who are interested in the Polk State Education Program are invited to virtual informational sessions on September 16, October 21 and November 18. More information is available by emailing educationbachelors@polk.edu.