I started at GSC in the spring of 2010, determined to achieve my B.S. in Early Childhood Education. I love that I have been able to acheive my goal (June 2013) by taking my classes online while working full time and taking care of a family. By taking classes online, I'm able to work at my own pace by not having to be in a classroom on a certain day - instead, i just have things due by the end of the week. It's been so easy for me to achive my dream - thanks GSC!!
- Amy
I am and Early Childhood Education student and I love Granite State College because my degree program is 100% online. I can continue to work in my field and still have time to work on course work at night and on weekends, whenever I have time to fit it in. Without GSC's online program, I wouldn't have been able to return to school for my bachelor's degree in ECE and still be able to work in order to support my family!
- Lisa
This morning, instead of heading to Granite State College, GSC’s President paid a visit to a different kind of education institution: Bow Elementary School!
Dr. Todd Leach, along with fellow college and university presidents across New Hampshire, joined young children in classrooms around the state for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, a world-record-breaking campaign in which adults and children nationwide will read the same book on the same day to establish the largest group of people ever to collectively read the same story on a single date.
This year Jumpstart’s featured book is the New York Times bestselling children’s book, Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by David Soman and Jacky Davis.
The purpose of this event is to shine a national spotlight on America's early education achievement gap and to highlight Jumpstart's programs as a way to address this crisis. It’s a goal that GSC certainly understands.
In our School of Education, the teacher preparation programs focus in on the critical shortage areas that exist in education, which includes our early childhood education major.
GSC is proud to support Jumpstart’s mission through Read for the Record and proud to contribute by empowering future educators in our undergraduate degree programs and post-baccalaureate programs for teacher education.
On a personal note...
As a Jumpstart alumni, I was excited to learn that the New Hampshire College and University Presidents were going to participate in 2012's Read for the Record and it was a pleasure to help coordinate on behalf of GSC! I did three terms of service while I was earning my bachelor's degree and even have some photos to prove it (note the "vintage" Jumpstart blue from 7 years ago!).
-Jacqui Lantagne
Marketing Specialist, Granite State College
Jumpstart Corps Member and Team Leader, 2004-2007
It was an eventful weekend as my new little granddaughter was born. Yes, the sewing machine came out and I was sewing up a storm to make her a new little dress. My son has two boys so it was such a nice surprise to be blessed with a girl. They are all blessings when they come and they are blessing watching them grow. Each year a new discovery, new challenges, new futures for these little ones. Happy days, truly happy days.
I had one daughter of my own that wanted to be a teacher at one point. She wanted to teach kindergarten as she thought it would be a profession that she would enjoy. Granite State College offers an early childhood education major or post-baccaluareate teacher certification, if being a teacher is your dream. Going to college is such a great experience no matter what age you are or what stage you are in your life. You learn the value of an education just by embracing all it has to offer, all your classmates sharing the same dream. Anything is possible if you really want it. Do you want it?
I am teaching a Foundations in Early Childhood Education course online at Granite State College this semester. It is a course that I have not taught before. Many of the people in the class are involved in the early childhood field, but need the coursework for their certification. Their first assignment was to introduce themselves and tell a little about their interest in the field of early childhood. It amazes me how many of the students talked about how much they love what they are doing. Almost every person in the class mentioned how much they love their job. Early Childhood education is not a high paying career field. It is also not an easy job, but it is one of the best jobs on the planet. Imagine working with young children who are excited about things such as butterflies in a garden, or clouds in the sky. Adults are usually too busy to notice the little things, but young children spend their time noticing these things. It is great to see so many people working in a field that they love and taking the time to improve their understanding of the field through online undergraduate education courses at Granite State that may lead them to an Associate Degree or a Bachelor's degree in early childhood, or even special education teacher certification.
I have been teaching at Granite State for over 5 years and I marvel at the people who attend early childhood education classes. You do not have to be working in a day care center to take courses in Early Childhood. You might be a paraprofessional in a high school working with a special needs child. Maybe you work in a government office but are interested in children and are thinking of a career change. One student was a successful businessman who taught Sunday School and wanted to spend more time learning about children. Each person brings their own interests and experiences to the classroom. They offer each other support and ideas that are based on what they have done in the field, as parents, or in their hobbies and travels. If you are thinking of taking early childhood classes, or even starting an early childhood education degree at Granite State, but are worried that you do not have experience in the field, don't worry, you will learn from others and you will be amazed at all that you have to offer as well.
I am interested in your opinion of online education. Granite State College offers many courses on line. They have many online education, early childhood certification, and elementary education degree courses now online. So I am wondering what you think of an online model in the field of education?
I recently taught the same course in both a face to face and an online format at Granite State College. The course was for Early Childhood Education Majors. I have asked students in the class for their feedback on the course materials including books, videos, discussions and forums. Those students who took the course face to face seemed less interested in the book and more interested in the discussions. Those students who took the course online were very impressed with the book and the videos. They enjoyed the posts of classmates to forums, but rated the book more highly. So I am asking your opinion of the online education experience. Is it a good way to gain an education? Do you think you get the same overall experience? Are there things that are missing in one format or the other that we should build in to the face to face or online models? Stay tuned to see what people are saying about online education.
Today I am sitting at an educational conference for paraeducators. I am writing as I await their next break and my next opportunity to help someone learn how teaching certification can be within reach. With Granite State College's new undergraduate teaching certifications, as well as the Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certifications we can now make teaching certification a reality for more individuals. Granite State College can also help Paraeducators achieve Paraeducator II Certification with the State of NH with a five class sequence or an Associate's Degree.
I am excited to be able to tell prospective students that we can now offer teaching certification with a Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies in Social Studies, English Language Arts and Math Studies or a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. We are offering the same teaching certifications as at the Post Baccalaureate level:
General Special Education (K-12)
General Special Ed (K-12)/ Elementary Education (K-8)
Early Childhood Special Ed. (0-age 8)/Early Childhood (N-grade 3)
ESOL (K-12)
Mathematics (5-8)
Secondary Mathematics (7-12)
By specializing in the critcal shortage areas for teachers in NH, Granite State College is able to help individuals be more "employable" upon earning teaching certification. Para educators are so excited to hear that they do not have to stop working to take classes and earn certification. Both undergrad and PBTC programs are job embedded and field based, meaning that we want you working in a school or approved program during your time with us. Classes are available online, as field based or occasionally as face to face, so you can live anywhere in NH (and surrounding states) and complete your teaching certification.
Time to go and talk with some future teachers and tell them... how easy it is to get that teaching certification... that allows you to take that teaching position... increases your ability to positively impact the future of our children and schools... and furthers your career!
So you are thinking about getting a degree on line? Well, as a professor of an on line course I have to ask you a few questions first. Are you motivated to get things done on your own? Are you comfortable manipulating your computer? Do you enjoy reading and writing on line? If you can answer positively to each of those questions then go for an online degree at Granite State College. There are so many on line courses to choose from, such as courses in Early Childhood Education or Project management college courses, or even courses in health care and psychology. But not just anyone can successfully manage on line courses. If you hate being on the computer then an on line course will frustrate you. If you have trouble motivating yourself to do your work without someone standing over you then the on line course is not a good idea. On line education can be an awesome experience if you are willing to take the responsibility. So be honest with yourself. We all have different learning styles. If your style is as an independent learner then you will love on line education. Check out the Granite State on line list of courses to find the perfect ones for you.
Wow, have you ever taken an online course? You might think you just read the things online and submit your papers. But have you thought about forums? They are the greatest thing about an online course.
Think about the Early Childhood Certification or Elementary Education Degree at Granite State College. You are busy working in a classroom all day helping children, but you want to complete a degree, or get those courses required for a promotion. Getting to class at night is difficult but you want some support from your peers. You think online education might be too hard because you won't have contact with others in the class.
The online forum is the perfect answer. Here you post a question or a thought about the reading you have done, and your peers respond with their answers or additional thoughts. You have an ongoing conversation with the other people in your class, right from your own computer. So consider the online college option as the perfect answer to your busy life.
Think about the Early Childhood Certification or Elementary Education Degree at Granite State College. You are busy working in a classroom all day helping children, but you want to complete a degree, or get those courses required for a promotion. Getting to class at night is difficult but you want some support from your peers. You think online education might be too hard because you won't have contact with others in the class.
The online forum is the perfect answer. Here you post a question or a thought about the reading you have done, and your peers respond with their answers or additional thoughts. You have an ongoing conversation with the other people in your class, right from your own computer. So consider the online college option as the perfect answer to your busy life.
In a recent class for the early childhood education major at GSC's Rochester NH college campus, we were talking about family strengths. One of those strengths revolved around encouragement and setting a good example. If parents are not only telling children that they care about how they do in school, but are also demonstrating the importance of school by taking a course they might need for work, or starting a new degree in an area that you have always been interested in is the prime way to set the example and encourage your children to value education. Consider taking courses in early childhood for your Early Childhood Certification, or maybe courses in project management, towards a Masters Degree in Project Management, or special education teacher certification. Try showing how much you value education, by getting involved yourself in either online adult education classes or face-to-face courses. Your children will learn from your example.
Finally it seems that winter has left us behind and spring is giving way to summer. The flowers are in bloom and everyone wants to be outside. For me, that sunshine is also calling me to read a good book, whether in traditional book form, or on a computer screen.
Did you know that Granite State offers courses that allow you to experience the out of doors? There are science classes that allow you to travel to the Isles of Shoals. There are art classes that allow you to paint the landscape. These are some of the adult education services available to students at Granite State College.
The college also offers distance learning classes that would be perfect for you to get involved in while sitting in that warm spring sunshine. You can take online courses for adults at Granite State and enjoy the spring weather at the same time that you are studying science, math, behavioral science or early childhood education. So when you grab that good book and settle into the summer sunshine, grab a Granite State College catalog, and enjoy the weather.
Did you know that Granite State offers courses that allow you to experience the out of doors? There are science classes that allow you to travel to the Isles of Shoals. There are art classes that allow you to paint the landscape. These are some of the adult education services available to students at Granite State College.
The college also offers distance learning classes that would be perfect for you to get involved in while sitting in that warm spring sunshine. You can take online courses for adults at Granite State and enjoy the spring weather at the same time that you are studying science, math, behavioral science or early childhood education. So when you grab that good book and settle into the summer sunshine, grab a Granite State College catalog, and enjoy the weather.
Do you know what it means to be a lifelong learner? Hopefully you are one. Maybe you graduated from high school 40 years ago, or maybe you are just about to graduate. Does that mean your learning is over? Do you stop learning just because you are no longer a student? A lifelong learner is one who is interested in knowing more about the things in their world. A lifelong learner is one who is excited by the many things they come in contact with each day and they want to know more.
Granite State College has so many programs for lifelong learners - after all, it's a lifelong learning college. Whether you are someone who just wants to take a course, maybe in environmental or behavioral science because that interests you, or you are someone who is thinking about finishing a degree in Early Childhood Education or taking Foster Parent Classes or online college English classes, you are a lifelong learner.
Granite State College has campuses around New Hampshire that can offer the lifelong learner opportunities for growth and understanding. You can take online college classes, or come to one of the campuses for a face to face experience. Either way, being a lifelong learner is what life after high school is all about.
Granite State College has so many programs for lifelong learners - after all, it's a lifelong learning college. Whether you are someone who just wants to take a course, maybe in environmental or behavioral science because that interests you, or you are someone who is thinking about finishing a degree in Early Childhood Education or taking Foster Parent Classes or online college English classes, you are a lifelong learner.
Granite State College has campuses around New Hampshire that can offer the lifelong learner opportunities for growth and understanding. You can take online college classes, or come to one of the campuses for a face to face experience. Either way, being a lifelong learner is what life after high school is all about.
I have been thinking about the value of a dollar recently. I remember when I was younger I thought I was rich when I had $100 to my name. I was king of the world and I could buy anything I wanted. Well those days are completely gone (I just got my first cable bill and it was $200!?).
I may not be able to make $100 go as far as I use to, but I am happy with the money I have been putting into my Bachelor’s of Science degree from Granite State College. After a lot of research, I learned that Granite State College offers the least expensive Bachelor’s degree in the entire state of New Hampshire!
That coupled with the small class sizes and more individualized attention that I receive from staff and instructors (staff at the campuses know most of their students names!!!), I am very happy with my choice to return to school to pursue my adult college degree.
Did you know that most of the Instructors here teach as a second job? That means that they actually LOVE to do what they do here. Why else would you take on another job? Instructors here actually take the time to know you as an individual, not just another student in their class. I remember taking a Psychology class at one of the local community colleges and I was one of 35 people in the class. The instructor did not know who I was and did not know I was even a part of his class when I raised my hand.
Here, at Granite State College, I am Danielle Dodd, a student, a worker and a mother. My instructors take the time to ask me about my day, about my son, and to make sure that I understand the work. They take the time out of their busy schedules so that if I am having an issue understanding something, they can meet with me at a time that is convenient for ME, not just offer a time that is convenient for them. Not only that, but the instructors here have full time jobs in their field of study. We have management instructors who are entrepreneurs, Early Childhood Education instructors who have child care centers. We have other instructors who are lawyers and have their doctorates! We are learning from people who not only have the book smarts, but have firsthand knowledge of how the field that we want to enter works! Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better adult college education.
It’s exactly like those credit card commercials that always play:
School books: $100.
School supplies: $40.
The unique education and opportunities received: Priceless
What are your thoughts about online adult education classes at Granite State College? Have you taken online classes for early childhood, or online classes for criminal justice, or maybe online college english classes?
What did you think? Were the class materials easy to negotiate online? Were the assignments clear and enjoyable? Did you feel that you were learning as much, or more than you do in a face to face class at Granite State?
I am asking because as a faculty member at Granite State College, I am taking a course on creating online courses. I am interacting with a number of faculty members who teach english courses and science courses and education courses. Our discussions focus on using the best online experiences for the students enrolled in online classes.
If you have thoughts about online classes for college or personal online education experiences at Granite State College, or want to get involved in the online courses, I would love to hear your ideas.
What did you think? Were the class materials easy to negotiate online? Were the assignments clear and enjoyable? Did you feel that you were learning as much, or more than you do in a face to face class at Granite State?
I am asking because as a faculty member at Granite State College, I am taking a course on creating online courses. I am interacting with a number of faculty members who teach english courses and science courses and education courses. Our discussions focus on using the best online experiences for the students enrolled in online classes.
If you have thoughts about online classes for college or personal online education experiences at Granite State College, or want to get involved in the online courses, I would love to hear your ideas.
Today is the first day of spring and, as I write this blog, I am watching the snowflakes swirl around outside my window. I ask myself how can this really be the first day of Spring? And then I think about all the important dates in our lives: Holidays, birthdays, vacations... fun days that we look forward to. But what about for college students? There are exam days and papers due days and beginning and ending of the semester days. These are special days too but not always those fun days, unless you consider them as milestones in getting you closer to where you want to be in life.
So have you considered where you want to be by next spring or next winter or next birthday? How about enrolling in classes at Granite State College. Did you know that there are online classes for almost every subject? There are also face to face classes in Portsmouth, and Rochester and Lebanon and Manchester and Littleton and Berlin. That pretty much covers the state. You can find yourself in a different place by that next special date in your life. You could be halfway through an Adult Accelerated Degree Program, or finishing an adult education certificate, or taking classes in Early Childhood Education, or any number of degree programs at Granite State College. So don't wait for Spring to arrive. Register now and be ready when that special date, the first day of spring classes arrives in April.
So have you considered where you want to be by next spring or next winter or next birthday? How about enrolling in classes at Granite State College. Did you know that there are online classes for almost every subject? There are also face to face classes in Portsmouth, and Rochester and Lebanon and Manchester and Littleton and Berlin. That pretty much covers the state. You can find yourself in a different place by that next special date in your life. You could be halfway through an Adult Accelerated Degree Program, or finishing an adult education certificate, or taking classes in Early Childhood Education, or any number of degree programs at Granite State College. So don't wait for Spring to arrive. Register now and be ready when that special date, the first day of spring classes arrives in April.
Have you read all the news stories lately about the Tiger Mom? The topic certainly has received a lot of press and caused many people to think about child rearing practices. Do you agree with what you have heard? Were you raised by a strict parent or one who was very permissive? At Granite State College, in a child development class, the discussion about child rearing has been an interesting one.
Students enrolled in Early Childhood degree programs and Behavioral Science classes and degree programs have engaged in a discussion about what aspects of parenting are important. In Foster Parent Classes at Granite State College, the conversation is similar. Research tells us that parents who are accepting of their children, and encourage exploration, while providing stability and love can help children to develop into healthy adults.
It's certainly an interesting discussion to be a part of in our adult and continuing education classes here at Granite State College.
Students enrolled in Early Childhood degree programs and Behavioral Science classes and degree programs have engaged in a discussion about what aspects of parenting are important. In Foster Parent Classes at Granite State College, the conversation is similar. Research tells us that parents who are accepting of their children, and encourage exploration, while providing stability and love can help children to develop into healthy adults.
It's certainly an interesting discussion to be a part of in our adult and continuing education classes here at Granite State College.
We had a great discussion the other night in my Child Development course.
Think for a moment about an infant. What adjectives would you use to describe a baby girl? What about a baby boy? Did you use the same words? Did you know that gender differences start right at birth with parents and others describing boys and girls differently? Research has found we use words like "sweet" and "petite" for girls and "strong" and "robust" for boys when describing infants. The discussion brought up lots of interesting things about gender differences. It was a fun discussion.
To participate in great discussions like this one, you should think about taking an Early Childhood Education course at Granite State College. There are many different Early Childhood, Teacher Training Education, Behavioral Science or Elementary Education courses to choose from, all with great discussions to get you thinking. And when you are picking course titles, think about whether they sound like courses traditionally for boys or girls.
Think for a moment about an infant. What adjectives would you use to describe a baby girl? What about a baby boy? Did you use the same words? Did you know that gender differences start right at birth with parents and others describing boys and girls differently? Research has found we use words like "sweet" and "petite" for girls and "strong" and "robust" for boys when describing infants. The discussion brought up lots of interesting things about gender differences. It was a fun discussion.
To participate in great discussions like this one, you should think about taking an Early Childhood Education course at Granite State College. There are many different Early Childhood, Teacher Training Education, Behavioral Science or Elementary Education courses to choose from, all with great discussions to get you thinking. And when you are picking course titles, think about whether they sound like courses traditionally for boys or girls.
Are you a busy person? Most people would say yes! Are you an ambitious person? Again, most people would say yes! Are you an adult who thinks college is something kids do after high school because they don't want to go to work, or they don't know what they want? To that, I hope you answered no.
What if I were to tell you that many of the people who come to classes at Granite State College are a lot like you? They are adults interested in adult education courses. They may have found a program they are interested in but most are not going to school full time. They are taking part time classes or even online adult education classes to further their education. That is pretty ambitious because they are working during the day and coming to class at night.
But classes only meet one night a week. So, just think, one night a week you could come over after work to a campus in Portsmouth, or Rochester, or Concord, or Manchester, or Berlin or Littleton and take a class instead of crashing in front of TV.
Right now I am teaching a child development course. Two people are taking the course for their Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood, one is taking it for a degree in Behavioral Science, another for an associates degree, and one person is taking it because he thought it would be interesting to know about the theories of child development.
There are so many reasons to come to Granite State College. I hope you will find a reason and I will see you in a class next semester.
What if I were to tell you that many of the people who come to classes at Granite State College are a lot like you? They are adults interested in adult education courses. They may have found a program they are interested in but most are not going to school full time. They are taking part time classes or even online adult education classes to further their education. That is pretty ambitious because they are working during the day and coming to class at night.
But classes only meet one night a week. So, just think, one night a week you could come over after work to a campus in Portsmouth, or Rochester, or Concord, or Manchester, or Berlin or Littleton and take a class instead of crashing in front of TV.
Right now I am teaching a child development course. Two people are taking the course for their Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood, one is taking it for a degree in Behavioral Science, another for an associates degree, and one person is taking it because he thought it would be interesting to know about the theories of child development.
There are so many reasons to come to Granite State College. I hope you will find a reason and I will see you in a class next semester.
What are you doing today? Maybe you are an early childhood educator. You go to your job, which you love, but you wish you could do more. Maybe you are a paraprofessional and you wish you could take on more responsibility. Then you think of how you could do more. That would mean going back to school. School?? AHHH!! Then come the excuses. I am too old. I am too tired. I work all day. I have my own kids to worry about at night.
But have you thought about online education classes? Maybe you knew that Granite State College had online college english classes and online classes for criminal justice. But did you know that many of the classes for Early Childhood Education are also online? Just think, you could come home from work, have your supper, get your kids to bed, put on your pjs, climb into bed and go to school.
Wow! Wouldn't that be great. Just think, you can take online classes at Granite State College in so many areas. You could get your whole Associate's Degree without ever leaving your room. Or maybe you just need a course or two. Check it out. The online courses at Granite State are designed for working professionals just like you.
But have you thought about online education classes? Maybe you knew that Granite State College had online college english classes and online classes for criminal justice. But did you know that many of the classes for Early Childhood Education are also online? Just think, you could come home from work, have your supper, get your kids to bed, put on your pjs, climb into bed and go to school.
Wow! Wouldn't that be great. Just think, you can take online classes at Granite State College in so many areas. You could get your whole Associate's Degree without ever leaving your room. Or maybe you just need a course or two. Check it out. The online courses at Granite State are designed for working professionals just like you.
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