Education Academy

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.

Apply Today Schedule a Tour

Why Early Childhood Education? (ECE)

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)

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.

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.

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

Childhood Development Associate (CDA)

CPR & First Aid

This two-year card confirms you can recognize life-threatening emergencies, perform chest compressions and rescue breaths, and operate an AED. Courses from groups such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association meet OSHA guidelines and are widely accepted by schools, child-care centers, and construction sites.

Useful Link:

American Heart Association CPR & First Aid

Food Handler Card

Certified Instructional Paraprofessional

Career Opportunities

K-12 Classroom Aide / Paraeducator ~ ($33k)

Classroom aides—often called paraeducators—work under a certified teacher to reinforce lessons, supervise small-group activities, and provide one-on-one academic or behavioral support. Typical entry requirements include a high-school diploma and either 60 college credits, an associate degree, or a passing score on a state-approved paraprofessional assessment. Annual pay averages in the low-30s nationwide, with unionized districts and special-education assignments pushing earnings higher.

Preschool Educator ~ ($50k)

Preschool teachers design and deliver play-based learning that builds early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills for children ages three to five. Most states require at least an associate degree in early-childhood education; many employers prefer a bachelor’s and a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) credential. National salary surveys place the median near $50 K, but wages vary widely by setting—private centers, public pre-K, or Head Start programs.

K-12 Educator (post-degree) ~ ($62k)

Licensed K–12 teachers craft lesson plans, manage classrooms, assess student progress, and collaborate with families and support staff. They hold a bachelor’s degree in education (or subject area plus a teacher-prep program), pass state exams, and complete supervised student teaching. The average U.S. teacher salary sits in the low-60s, though actual pay depends on district contracts, advanced degrees, and years of service.

Community Educator / Outreach Coordinator ~ ($65k)

Community educators design workshops, after-school programs, and public-awareness campaigns for nonprofits, libraries, museums, and health agencies. Day-to-day tasks include curriculum development, grant writing, volunteer management, and partnership building. Employers generally seek a bachelor’s in education, social work, or communications plus experience in program administration. National averages show pay clustering in the mid-60s, with larger metropolitan agencies and grant-funded initiatives offering higher ranges.

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

What tracks are offered in the Education Academy?

What certifications can students earn?

What are the requirements for the CDA credential?

To obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, candidates must:

Hold a high school diploma or GED.
Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training.
Accumulate 480 hours of professional work experience with children in the appropriate age group.
Compile a professional portfolio and complete family questionnaires.
Undergo a verification visit by a CDA Professional Development Specialist.
Pass the CDA exam.

What are the requirements for becoming a Certified Instructional Paraprofessional in Arizona?

In Arizona, to become a Certified Instructional Paraprofessional, individuals must possess a high school diploma or GED and meet one of the following criteria:

Complete two years of study (60 credit hours) at an accredited institution.
Obtain an associate's degree or higher.
Achieve a passing score on an approved assessment, such as the ETS ParaPro Assessment, ACT WorkKeys, or Master Teacher's ParaEducator PD Now!

What career opportunities are available after completing the Education Academy?

Graduates are well-prepared for various roles in the education sector, including:

K–12 Educator: Average annual salary of $62,000, with approximately 218,000 job openings each year over the next decade.
Preschool Educator: Average annual salary of $50,000, with about 56,000 job openings each year over the next decade.
Paraeducator: Provides instructional support in classrooms, often requiring certification.
Preschool Educator: Focuses on early childhood development and education.
Community Educator: Average annual salary of $65,000, with a projected 12% job growth over the next decade, which is 120% faster than the U.S. average.

Do students receive hands-on experience?

How does the Education Academy prepare students for higher education?

Contact Us

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!

Schedule a Tour Contact Us

Useful Links

Schools

Mobile Schools Toggle

Mobile Schools Canvas

Header Stuff Container

Search