Why Education?

If your student lights up when helping younger kids learn to read or enjoys planning games that teach math without anyone noticing, the Education Academy turns that spark into a clear teaching pathway. Across three years, students explore:

  • Child development
  • Lesson design
  • Classroom management
  • Special-needs strategies

Then step into real preschools and K-12 classrooms for work-based learning. They return with lesson reflections and ready-to-use teaching aids, earning dual-enrollment credit through Maricopa Community Colleges. By the time they graduate, students understand both the theory behind developmental milestones and the everyday realities of guiding a room full of learners, giving them a seamless jump into early‑childhood, elementary, or special‑education programs in college.

 

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Why Early Childhood Education? (ECE)

ATHS Education

 

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) track is a three-year program for students passionate about early childhood education. Students will:

  • Study child development and play-based learning
  • Learn classroom safety
  • Design lesson plans
  • Practice behavior-management strategies
  • Assemble a professional portfolio

Seniors finish the sequence remotely while completing up to 10 hours per work interning at local preschools and commuinnty programs. These hours count toward the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential can earn up to six tuition‑free college credits through Maricopa Community Colleges.
 

Why Education Professions? (EDP)

ATHS Education

 

The Education Professions (EDP) track is a three-year program for students interested in becoming teachers or working in education. Students will:

  • Explore how children learn and why we teach
  • Design lesson plans and manage classrooms
  • Practice using education technology
  • Learn inclusive strategies for IEPs, 504s, and gifted plans
  • Build a professional teaching portfolio

Seniors complete up to 10 hours per week interning in local schools. These hours count toward Instructional Paraprofessional certification and include CPR and food-handler cards. Many students also earn dual-enrollment college credit toward future education degrees.

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Paraprofessional Capstone

For seniors 16 or older with fingerprint clearance, the Paraprofessional Capstone replaces the traditional classroom with hands-on experience supporting K–12 students. Over the course of the year, students:

  • Assist mentor teachers with instruction and classroom management
  • Design and deliver at least two standards-based lesson segments
  • Build a professional portfolio with plans, reflections, and evaluations

The experience earns up to 1.0 CTE/elective credit and fulfills the requirements for Instructional Paraprofessional Certification—complete with real classroom references.

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Early Childhood Capstone

For seniors 16 or older with fingerprint clearance, the Early Childhood Capstone takes place in preschools, Head Start programs, or early-learning centers serving children from birth to age five. Students:

  • Design weekly activities supporting early development
  • Observe children and document progress aligned to CDA standards
  • Build a CDA-ready portfolio with lessons, parent communication, and supervisor feedback

The experience earns up to 2.0 CTE/elective credits and fulfills key requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

Certificate Readiness

Career Opportunities

Meet the Program Coordinator

Jessica Marbell

Jessica Marbell, a well-versed educator with over a decade of experience, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development from Arizona State University. Ms. Marbell’s extensive background in preschool education and administration, junior high education, and high school education brings versatile expertise to the Education Academy at ALA Applied Technologies.

Explore the Education Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

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Have questions about the ALA Education Academy? We're here to help! Contact us to learn more about our unique curriculum, experienced instructors, and how your student can gain real-world skills in this high-demand field, or schedule a campus tour today and see firsthand how American Leadership Academy is preparing the next generation of educators!

 

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