CONNECT WITH US!
FALL 2020
Connect With Us! is a quarterly newsletter that features UTEP Connect's online programs and the faculty, staff and students associated with them.
FEATURED PROGRAM: GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EARLY INTERVENTION STUDIES
In recent years, a significant increase in the number of children enrolled in preschool and nursery programs in the United States has led to the development and improvement of educational programs. The need for highly qualified early intervention educators and agency professionals is accompanied by impressive growth in employment opportunities within the field. Our online graduate certificate in early childhood intervention is a 15-credit hour program that
- Is the first program of its kind in Texas and one of the few nationwide that emphasizes culturally responsive practices
- Offers students direct engagement with children who have disabilities and their families and/or collaboration with other counseling professionals
- May function as a stand-alone certificate for educators to supplement the existing master's degree in Special Education or lead to a new master’s degree in Early Intervention Studies
- Meets Texas Education Agency (TEA), NAEYC, and DEC and CEC guidelines
Students should note that the program is not intended to lead to professional licensure in their state.
UTEP EDGE AND EARLY INTERVENTION STUDIES
Our student success initiative, the UTEP Edge, develops upon students’ assets through a variety of high-impact experiences. These experiences are designed to improve student skills and give UTEP students a competitive advantage as they move forward in their lives and careers. Our goal as a campus is to provide these UTEP Edge experiences to all students, regardless of their area of study, so they will graduate with a competitive advantage over their peers.
These are the Edge experiences Early Intervention Studies students will have and the Edge skills they will graduate with.
Edge experiences
- Capstone Experiences
- Community Engagement
- Creative Activities
- Online Experiences
- Learning Communities
- Research and Scholarly Activities
- Student Leadership
Edge skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Entrepreneurship
- Social Responsibility
- Confidence
- Global Awareness
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: GINA PRESTON
Gina Preston has always had a passion for working with children with special needs. She earned a B.A. in Child Development in 1990 and was looking for a way to get a more in-depth education in her chosen area. UTEP's Graduate Certificate in Early Intervention Studies fit her needs perfectly and Gina graduated from the program in December 2019.
Gina secured a job as a Special Education Teacher in April 2020, soon after completing the necessary certifications. "None of this would have been possible without the UTEP Early Intervention Graduate Certificate," she says. "The program was discussed at length in the interview. I feel having this graduate certificate gave me an advantage over other candidates." Gina lives in Dallas-Fort Worth; she enjoys gardening, reading, Bible studies, and spending time with her family.
"I am very proud to be a graduate of this program. I am now more confident in my field of study and more prepared to be a better educator, a compassionate teacher, an equipped professional. Thank you to UTEP's Early Intervention Studies program!"
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DR. TRISHA AINSA
Trisha Ainsa | Professor, Graduate Certificate in Early Intervention Studies
Trisha Ainsa's interest and involvement in special education started early when her sibling was born with special needs. She came to UTEP in 1977 "with a desire to teach and promote online learning in the schools" and a doctorate in Pediatric Audiology from the University of Colorado.
Beginning in the 1980s with Computergarten, a tool to bring computer literacy to kids, Dr. Ainsa's work reflects her interest in new ways of teaching and learning.
Today, Dr. Ainsa is a professor in UTEP's Early Intervention Studies program and teaches Early Intervention and Special Education. She has several certifications and has won many awards for her work in her field.
"Several years ago I was at a dinner at the White House with the 1966 Texas Western College Championship basketball team when a student’s call came in while I was in line to meet the President. I thought nothing of taking the call and answering the student’s questions while I was waiting. Students come first. I am here for them."
FROM THE BLOG
Each year, thousands of U.S. children are diagnosed with one or more developmental disabilities. The early intervention field provides help to these children at the first indication of delay. If you want to start or advance a career in this important and rewarding area, UTEP’s online Early Intervention Graduate Certificate program will prepare you with the specialized knowledge and skills you need to achieve your goals. Learn more.
Working with children with special needs requires a certain personality, as well as a specific skill set. Not only should these individuals be compassionate, patient and interested in advocacy, they must also have the education necessary to navigate the physical, mental and societal requirements of children with special needs and their families. A graduate certificate in Early Intervention Studies can help provide the foundation necessary to successfully work with these children from birth through age 8. Learn more.
POPULAR BLOG POSTS TO HELP YOU LEARN AND WORK FROM HOME
If you’re considering an online degree, it’s clear that you’re thinking toward the future, and that’s a recipe for success. It’s also likely that you’ve started to plan for life after earning your degree. Here are four frequently asked questions about how online degrees translate to the workforce – from how employers view your degree to how you can explain your coursework to someone unfamiliar with the value of an online education. Learn more.
The number of people working remotely, or outside of a traditional office environment (also referred to as telecommuting), is on the rise, now more than ever. What is higher education doing to prepare students for these kinds of positions? The answer may not be in the content covered in courses or programs offered by colleges and universities, but the format in which they are offered—in person, blended, or fully online. Learn more.
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UTEP Connect
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