Shirley Chen

After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology, I found my passion teaching young children. When I started as a Teacher Assistant at my first center, I was encouraged to take ECE courses to further my understanding of working with children 0-5 years of age. Most of my ECE courses were taken at Cañada College and my first impression of ECE (many thanks to the great professors!) greatly inspired me to wonder and delve deeper not only into my career goals but into myself as a person. It was refreshing to be welcomed into a college environment that acknowledged and supported the lifestyle of a teacher – there were night courses available as well as day courses. The professors set up environments that were comfortable, informative and open-ended. I liked the intimate feeling of the classes and really appreciated that information related to ECE was readily accessible and available.

 

 

In the Practicum course I had the opportunity to do formal observations in the classroom where I was working. It was a great experience to be in a classroom and not act as a teacher, but as an observer. I also appreciate having the experience to collaborate with my peers in a safe space - it is so important to be able to provide that kind of space for the children I work with, my family and my colleagues. These are just a few examples of how Cañada's courses have helped me reflect and move forward in my career. The career counselors were also helpful, from them I learned about possible careers in ECE, where I saw myself and how I could move myself toward a career that I wanted. The classes were a wonderful place to gain fresh perspectives and support in a trusting environment. I completed 24 units in ECE in 2007, my coursework helped me to receive my Site Supervisor Permit. It also led me to my current work as a Teacher at one of Google’s Child Care Centers.