TEACHER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CAREERS

Subpart 1. Scope of practice. A teacher of early childhood careers is authorized to provide students in grades 7 through 12 instruction that is designed to develop an in-depth understanding and application of the knowledge and skills in: A. academic foundations specific to early childhood careers; B. administration of early childhood programs; C. operational procedures of early childhood programs; and D. early childhood career exploration and investigation. Subp. 2. Licensure requirements. A candidate for licensure as a teacher of early childhood careers shall have completed at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a teacher preparation program approved under chapter 8705 including: A. the standards of effective practice under part 8710.2000 ; B. the core skills for teachers of career and technical education under part 8710.8000 ; and C. the standards under subpart 3. Subp. 3. Subject matter standard. A candidate for licensure as a teacher of early childhood careers must complete a preparation program under subpart 2 that must include the candidate's demonstration of the knowledge and skills in items A to D: A. A teacher of early childhood careers must demonstrate the knowledge and applications of the academic subject matter required for proficiency. The teacher must: (1) understand and apply the theories of age and stage development of children prenatal through adolescence including an understanding of exceptionalities; (2) understand the theory of child psychology and its application through learning, creative, cognitive, physical, language, self-help, and social activities; (3) analyze and apply developmentally appropriate practices (National Association for the Education of Young Children NAEYC) to plan for early childhood programs; (4) demonstrate appropriate observation techniques; and (5) define standards of accreditation in early childhood programs and services. B. A teacher of early childhood careers must demonstrate the knowledge and applications of program administration. The teacher must: (1) possess a comprehensive understanding of the federal, state, and local laws governing programs in early childhood; (2) guide students in establishing a safe and healthy learning environment when working with children, families, educational systems, or community agencies; (3) demonstrate techniques for positive collaborative relationships when working with children, families, educational systems, or community agencies; and (4) integrate the specific needs and interests of children and families throughout developmental stages in a variety of educational and community settings. C. A teacher of early childhood careers must demonstrate the knowledge and applications of operational procedures. The teacher must: (1) understand the ethics and legal responsibilities of working with multidisciplinary systems, such as parents, children, medical services, educational systems, legal systems, and community services; (2) perform and teach the appropriate procedures regarding health and safety, nutrition, and food preparation on a daily basis; (3) demonstrate an understanding of the learning environment, such as equipment, room arrangement, activity schedules, and its potential effect on the program, children, staff, and parents; (4) model effective use of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques when working with parents, children, staff, educational systems, and community agencies; and (5) understand the mandatory reporting responsibilities, such as abuse and harassment, in regard to working with children. D. A teacher of early childhood careers must demonstrate the knowledge and skills in the career field of early childhood to: (1) describe and analyze career paths and ladders in early childhood careers; (2) utilize personal occupational experiences to make early childhood careers meaningful to students; (3) describe the levels of education, licensing/certification requirements, employment opportunities, workplace environments, and career growth potential for a specific early childhood career; and (4) incorporate early childhood career opportunities and activities, such as job shadowing, simulated work experiences, internships, apprenticeships, and student organizations into the curriculum. Subp. 4. [Repealed, 47 SR 986]