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�鶹��Ʒ���߲���’s Early Childhood Education program recently honored students participating in apprenticeships at a signing ceremony, where 16 apprenticeships were signed. Speakers included �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� instructors as well as students of the program. The ceremony started with a quote about how the love of children is placed first in the program’s plan. 

“There is certainly no greater love than what we show our children,” said �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� Director of Work-based Education and Apprenticeship Dr. Micara Lewis-Sessoms, a former early childhood educator and “proud product of Head Start.” 

And the love of children and the desire to hold the credentials to teach and lead them is what attracted �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� graduate, Ashley Bojoy.  

“I have always enjoyed working with children,” said Bojoy, who started volunteering with the Museum of Life and Science where she worked with children younger than herself when she was just twelve years old. “I have always liked helping kids learn and playing around with them, but I never thought being an educator would be my role.” 

Bojoy who currently works with LEAP [Latino Educational Achievement Partnership] and teaches a class of three-year-olds, became aware of �鶹��Ʒ���߲���’s ECE program after moving from an assistant teacher job to lead teacher. 

“My coworkers pushed me and said, ‘you know you can do it because you are doing it’ and I started to believe it,” said Bojoy. “Once I learned from �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� that I could apprentice at LEAP as I studied, I knew I would do it. My executive director at LEAP put me in contact with �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� and got the formal process started.” 

All Durham PreK apprentices are enrolled at �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� and all ECE apprentices are connected with Durham PreK in some capacity. Durham County is a strong proponent of the �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� program and has allotted millions towards the universal Durham Pre-K. 

“That relationship with Durham PreK is a unique aspect of the apprenticeship program,” said Cathy Collie-Robinson, TITLE. “As is our size. We have a large cohort. One that is consistently among the largest in the country.” 

“I had several students in my group, and even though we were all out apprenticing at different locations we got to know each other because �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� teachers brought us together on a regular basis,” said Bojoy. “That was nice as extra support.” 

The biweekly “meet-up” sessions for apprentices are where students receive help with their EDU classes, support navigating the apprentice requirements for employment (from Durham PreK), and connections with other apprentices.  

The college’s ECE program has two other unique points that lend themselves to strengthening the program and its students. First, the program hosts campus events for apprentices throughout the year.  Events have included a kick-off event in August to help students start the year strong and advising sessions with �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� employees, TEACH (ECE Scholarship) and WAGES (ECE Salary Supplements).

Next, the ECE program at the college has on-site visits to the apprentice sites from both �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� and Durham PreK. The goal being to have a well-rounded support system for the apprentices so that each one can thrive as an early childhood professional. 

“The on-site visits were nerve-racking at first, but I got used to them and they were helpful,” said Bojoy. “It was another way I was supported by �鶹��Ʒ���߲��� and the instructors.” 

Bojoy has her credentials now and continues to enjoy her job. She is proud of her journey at �鶹��Ʒ���߲���.  

“The ECE apprenticeship let me learn and see firsthand what I love to do is truly what I want to do,” said Bojoy. “Through the apprenticeship it became clear the kids chose me, and I chose them.”