Education & Early Childhood
Chesapeake has been a leader in education since we opened our doors in 1967. We prepare education professionals for rewarding careers.
Chesapeake students gain classroom experience throughout our five-county service area in K-12 settings. Many of our graduates continue their career path, earning bachelor’s, graduate and post-graduate degrees in education.
EDUCATION
Why Chesapeake
Chesapeake’s faculty members are top educators dedicated to strengthening the field at all levels. Our programs combine pedagogy, national best practices and field work to provide comprehensive preparation for all areas of education. Students are in the field with every education class - early and often, to gain real experience to enhance their classroom learning. The classes are interactive with technology embedded in the curriculum. Our instructors use open-source textbooks and iPads to strengthen their students’ proficiency with technology.
Earn your Early Childhood Education Bachelors at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center!
Thanks to Chesapeake’s articulation agreements, you can seamlessly transfer to Salisbury University or the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Early Childhood students have the option to continue their bachelor’s degree with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Child Development or Salisbury University for Elementary Education in the cohort programs at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center. For information, contact admissions@chesapeake.edu.
Chesapeake College enjoys a strong partnership with the Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM) Programs housed in the Career and Technology Division for each public-school system. The Teacher Academy is an initiative from the Maryland State Department of Education to allow high school students an opportunity to engage in courses designed toward a possible career in teaching or working with children. The Education Department and TAM programs have an articulation agreement that will grant successful completers three college credits free-of-charge!
- Early Childhood Development A.A.S.
- Early Childhood Development Advanced Certificate
- Early Childhood Development Basic Certificate
- Early Childhood Development Letter of Recognition
- Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education A.A.T.
- Elementary Education/Elementary Special Education A.A.T.
- Secondary Education A.A.T (Chemistry, English, Math, Physics, Spanish)
- Teacher Aide Certificate
Education Programs
Early Childhood Development A.A.S. Degree
Advance your career and mold young minds with an A.A.S. degree in the field of Early Childhood Development. This program is designed to provide comprehensive training for individuals who want to become professionals in child care agencies or primary grades as well as for individuals who are already employed in these areas and want to advance in the workplace.
Early Childhood Development Advanced Certificate
Secure a certificate to enhance your career while gaining knowledge in the field of Early Childhood Development. Designed for paraprofessionals already employed either in child care agencies or in the primary grades. This program also provides theory and skills for parents who want to learn more about the growth and needs of their children.
Early Childhood Development Basic Certificate
Train for a career in Early Childhood Development with this 16-hour certificate program. The Basic Certificate is designed to prepare those presently employed as child care staff in either centers or family child care facilities with comprehensive training to meet Maryland Office of Child Care requirements. This program also provides a pathway for students interested in joining the field of early childhood education as teacher aides.
Early Childhood Development Letter of Recognition
Start your career in Early Childhood Development by gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be responsible for children in a child care setting. Students who successfully complete this program will meet the minimum requirements to work in a child care center and are eligible to continue in the Early Childhood Development Basic and Advanced Certificate programs. Together, ECD 160 and ECD 163+ meet the 90 hours of approved training for child care preschool teachers required by the Office of Child Care of the Maryland State Department of Education.
Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Special Education Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Train for a career as an early childhood education teacher through pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education studies.
Elementary Education / Elementary Special Education Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Prepare for the field of Elementary Education or Elementary Special Education with this degree program based on foundation-level pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education. This program meets the requirements of the first two years of a teacher education program and prepares students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university.
Secondary Education - Chemistry Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Prepare for a career as a Secondary Education Chemistry teacher with this A.A.T. program. Designed for teacher education transfer students, the program is based on specific learning outcomes and is comprised of foundation-level pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education which meet requirements of the first two years in a teacher education program in Chemistry. The program provides students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university.
Secondary Education - English Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Specialize in English for Secondary Education with this associate’s degree program. Designed for teacher education transfer students, the program is comprised of foundation-level pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education coursework which meet requirements of the first two years in a teacher education program in English. The program provides students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university.
Secondary Education - Mathematics Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Earn your Associate's degree in Mathematics Secondary Education to start your journey to be a middle or high school Math Teacher. Designed for teacher education transfer students, this program is based on specific learning outcomes and is comprised of foundation-level pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education which meet requirements of the first two years in a teacher education program in Mathematics. The program provides students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university.
Secondary Education - Physics Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Train for a career as a Physics Teacher with this Secondary Education A.A.T. Degree. Designed for teacher education transfer students, this program is based on specific learning outcomes and is comprised of foundation-level pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education which meet academic content, outcomes, and requirements of the first two years in a teacher education program in Physics. The program provides students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university.
Secondary Education - Spanish Associate of Arts Degree in Teaching (AAT)
Learn to teach language and an appreciation for cultures with the Spanish A.A.T. Degree. Designed for teacher education transfer students, this program is based on specific learning outcomes and is comprised of foundation-level pedagogical coursework, field experience, and general education which meet academic content, outcomes, and requirements of the first two years in a teacher education program in Spanish. The program provides students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university.
Teacher Aide Certificate
Gain the knowledge and skills to work effectively with children under the supervision of the classroom teacher. The Teacher Aide Certificate option is designed to allow students to enter the workforce as teacher aides or to continue their education in the Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree program.
For more information on any of the Chesapeake Child Care Resource Center offerings, please visit our continuing education page and explore the CE Schedule. You may also search and register online for those courses here.
Medication Administration Training
Basic Health & Safety Training
Including All Children & the ADA
Emergency Preparedness for Child Care
Child Care I: Growth & Development
School Age Child Care
Child Care II: Activities for Young Children
Infant Development and Care
Nutrition and Active Learning
Making Families Welcome
Ready to Grow!
Taking Learning Outside
For more information on any of the Chesapeake Child Care Resource Center offerings, please visit our continuing education page and explore the CE Schedule. You may also search and register online for those courses here.
Infant and Toddler Care
Preschool Curriculum & Activites
School Age Child Care Curriculum
Child Growth and Development
Child Care Administration
Family Child Care Pre-Service
Communication Skills for Child Care Professionals
Including All Children & the ADA
Resources that Guide Daily Planning
Playground Safety
The Child Care Provider as a Professional
Conflict Resolution Strategies
Family and Community Partnerships
Introduction to the Environmental Rating Scale
Spanish in the Classroom - ED2GO
Program Resources
Early Childhood Development & Early Childhood/Special Education
Ms. Sarah Ross
Instructor of Early Childhood Education
(410) 822-5400, x-2327
sross@chesapeake.edu
Elementary/Secondary Education
Dr. Deanna Reinard
Professor for Elementary/Secondary Teacher Education
(410) 822-5400, x-2313
dreinard@chesapeake.edu
Career Changers Pathways
Dr. Deanna Reinard
Professor for Elementary/Secondary Teacher Education
(410) 822-5400, x-2313
dreinard@chesapeake.edu
Marci Leach
Executive Director of Eastern Shore Higher Education Center and Director of Continuing Education
(410) 822-5400, x-5761
mleach@chesapeake.edu
Nationally, employment of education, training and library occupations is projected to grow 8 percent - by almost 700,000 new jobs - through 2024. Learn more in the Occupational Outlook Handbook
Learn about the top jobs in education
Education Coordinator to help with the application process, financial aid, tutoring, support services and transitioning to a four-year program
/ Education Careers
- Childcare Center Director
- Childcare Provider
- Curriculum Specialist
- Early Childhood Lead Teacher
- Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-Gr 3)
- Elementary Teacher (Grades 1-6)
- High School Teacher (Grades 9 - 12, Chemistry, English, Spanish, Math, or Physics)
- Librarian
- Literacy Coach
- Middle School Teacher (Grades 4-9)
- Principal and Assistant Principal
- Special Education Teacher (birth-21)
- Teaching Assistant
Education & Child Development News
Education & Child Development Program News
Welcome Maggie - Incoming Freshman on the Education Pathway
Maggie has a clear career path planned for her future and she is choosing to begin at Chesapeake. A Kent Island High School graduate, she hopes to be an elementary school teacher.
Read More
PROGRAM announcements
Announcements and Upcoming Events.
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Fall 2024 classes begin Learn More
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