One on One Career Advising

From birth to 5 years of age, we educate our future leaders and members of society. We are educators of the early childhood workforce, whose teaching practices will make the difference in the success of children. We are trainers, advisors, educators and mentors. We are experts in the field of early childhood education. The mission of the Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education is to provide the child care workforce of Palm Beach County with a comprehensive approach to career development in the field of early childhood education.

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I AM A

Preschool educator

Career Advising & Tutoring

Our trained and skilled career advisors assist the early childhood practitioner in navigating the pathways of professional development.

Through advising sessions, either in person, by phone, or through web advising, career advisors can point the practitioner in the right direction.

Based on a practitioner's personal professional goals, career advisors can provide information, identify and access resources, help set goals and priorities, select an appropriate path, and assist a practitioner in putting together a career plan that will lead to obtaining those goals.

Find your Career Advisor

Early Learning Career Advising Director

Debra Strange
stranged@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3670

E. L. Professional Development Coordinator
Evelyn Gomez (Spanish Speaking)
gomeze@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3954

E.L. Education Success Center Manager
Laura McCadden
mccaddel@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3998

Career Advisors

Career Advisor/Scholarship Coordinator II

Christina Barone
baronec@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3674

Raquel Gary
garyr@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3782

Myriam Torres (Spanish Speaking)
torresm1@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3953

Career Advisor/Scholarship Coordinator I

Darlene Williams
williaad@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3997

Tutoring

Through our Education Success Center we provide innovative academic tutoring support to all Palm Beach County early childhood education practitioners.

The Institute's tutors provide a comfortable, learner-centered environment that offers face-to-face and online tutoring in all academic areas, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), test-taking skills and computer skills.

Learn more about our ESOL program.

Contact Laura McCadden to schedule a tutoring appointment

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Submit an Online SEEK Scholarship Application

The SEEK scholarship deadline for college credit, prep, ECPC/FCCPC, and non-credit language classes for the 2020-2021 fall semester at Palm Beach State College is Wednesday, July 22, 2020 by 5:00pm.

Dates and Deadlines

Community-Based Trainings SEEK Scholarship Deadlines

Non-credit (HEOs) SEEK Scholarship Deadlines

Find your Financial Support Specialist

Program Grant Manager

Zachary Scuderi
scuderiz@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3828

Program Manager, Operations
Stacey Garnett
garnetts@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3669

Fiscal Specialist
Sheila Meeks
ducrams@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3662

Program Specialist
Marklin Green
greenm@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3695

ACHIEVE - Salary Supplement Award

ACHIEVE is a salary supplement award program for practitioners employed at a Strong Minds In-Network or Promising Early Childhood program in Palm Beach County.

ACHIEVE awards are intended to encourage ongoing professional development and to reduce turnover at early childhood education programs by providing monetary awards for completion of specific college credit classes and/or non-college credit Registry-approved trainings.

Learn more about ACHIEVE (English)

ACHIEVE (Spanish)

ACHIEVE eligibility is based on:

Employed at the same In-Network or Promising Site for at least one consecutive year (12 months) at the time of application submission
Work with children ages birth-5 years, for at least 20 hours per week on an annual basis
Eligible Positions: Director, Assistant Director, Curriculum Specialist, Lead Teacher, Associate Teacher, Floater, Family Child Care Home Provider, Large Family Child Care Home Employee
Active member of the Palm Beach County Early Childhood Registry and all registry documentation, including transcripts, must be up to date
Eligible for SEEK Scholarship (i.e. not on suspension)
Earn $17.00 or less per hour as an early childhood professional

Explore the ACHIEVE Handbook

Learn about the ACHIEVE Award Pathway

Steps to Apply for ACHIEVE

1. Log-in to your Registry account at www.pbcregistry.org.

2. Click the Financial Support tab.

3. Click "Apply for Financial Support".

4. Scholarship Type Page: Click the "ACHIEVE" option and
then click "Continue".

5. Review eligibility requirements, then click "Continue".

6. Review participant agreement.

7. Click the "I Agree" box, then press "Save".

8. Click "Finish".

9. Email or fax your W-9 Form and most
recent pay stub
to iefaxes@palmbeachstate.edu or (561)
868-7042.

W-9 Form

W-9 Form Example

Required Application Documents

All Applicants
Must submit a complete and typed W9 Form

Center Employees or Large Family Child Care Employees
Must submit most recent pay stub from site of employment

Family Child Care Providers/Owners
If a pay stub cannot be provided, must submit most recent tax documentation (Form 1040 and 1040 Schedule C, if applicable)

Center Owners
If a pay stub cannot be provided, must submit most recent tax documentation (Form 1040 and 1040 Schedule C, if Applicable)

Applications and related forms can be submitted at any time!

Required documentation must be received via fax 561-868-7042 or email: IEECE@palmbeachstate.edu

Call 561-868-3695 to verify that completed application was submitted.

ACHIEVE Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

Please contact your Career Advisor or Zachary Scuderi at 561-868-3828 or scuderiz@palmbeachstate.edu

Other Scholarships

Palm Beach State College offers a wide range of scholarships for students. Visit the College's Scholarships page for more information.

The Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) Early Childhood® Scholarship program provides scholarships for early care educators and center directors to work towards earning an associate's degree or credentials in early childhood education.

It is funded by the Florida Office of Early Learning and involves a three-way partnership for the sharing of expenses by the caregiver receiving the scholarship, the sponsoring child care center or family child care home and T.E.A.C.H.

For more information, visit the T.E.A.C.H. website or call 877-FL-TEACH.

Training & Development

The Institute of Excellence provides professional development opportunities that meet the diverse needs and wants of early childhood educators serving young children throughout our county.

Whether you are an entry level practitioner or an advanced professional, our community-based approach to training offers you alternative pathways in your personal career development.

All of our trainings are outcomes driven, focusing on knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in the workplace.

What's in it for you?

Quality Assured trainers and trainings
Quality trainings that improve teaching practice that leads to child success
Foundation for success in credit classes

Trainings will:

Meet at convenient times
Provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Provide the professional development necessary to move you along your chosen career path in early education
Meet certificate renewal requirements

Learn why you should take trainings with us.

2020 HEO Course Catalog

Explore our Non-credit Course Catalog

Find your Trainer

Marilys Galindo, Research
galindom@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3667

Katherine Johnson, Curriculum
johnsokm@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3694

Instructional Designers

Amy Allen
deckera@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3675

Kristen Curley
curleyk@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3956

Karen Darter
darterk@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3668

Michelle Immekus
immekusm@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3673

Benjamin Occelin
occelinb@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-4004

Education Coordinators

Patricia Ortiz-Gutierrez
ortizgp@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3676

Nicole Rice
ricen@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3648

Becky Slack
slackr@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3829

Training Resources & Links

Training Information

HEO Courses

The Institute of Excellence creates and designs high-quality, outcomes driven non-credit courses that are Palm Beach County Registry Approved and quality assured.

All non-credit courses are developed using the backward design to ensure transfer of learning to the workplace and give opportunities for the early childhood professional to practice new skills in the training.

Explore the 2020 Course Catalog

Full Course Schedule with SEEK Scholarship Deadlines & Flyers

2020 Fall HEO Flyer

2020 Fall Semester Non-credit (HEO) SEEK Scholarship Deadlines

Degrees and Certificates

Associate in Science: Child Development and Education

This program is designed for the student who wishes to enter the field of early childhood as an educator/caregiver.

The course content provides the student with a thorough background in all aspects of child development as well as expanding his/her classroom knowledge into a practical hands-on teaching experience in a Montessori Track and a High/Scope Track.

Approved college credit certificate programs include Child Care Center Management, Infant/Toddler, and Preschool.

Childcare Certificate Training Program
Palm Beach State College Child Care program consists of certification programs.

40 Hr. Childcare Certificate
30 Hr. Family Childcare Certificate
ECPC (Early Childhood Professional Certificate)
FCCPC (Florida Child Care Professional Credential)

Florida School-Age Certification Training Program
The Florida School Age Certification Training program at Palm Beach State College is a competency-based program for individuals who work with school age children.

The program consists of 40 hr. School Age Certificate and 80 hr. School Age Professional Certificate (SAPC).

Other Educational Options

FIU Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Development Track
FIU Online’s bachelor of science in early childhood education is a fully online program that focuses on learning and development during the early childhood years.

The undergraduate degree addresses the development of the whole child.

You’ll learn about cognitive, language and social/emotional development of young children, as well as general and early education theory and practices.

Teachstone
Teachstone offers trainings for coaches, teachers and observers that improves the effectiveness of education by building a bridge between research and classrooms using the CLASS observation tool.

The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute provides information about current research of issues facing young children and families, resources for teachers and parents, and free videos and vignettes available online.

Coursera
Coursera is an education platform that partners with top universities and organizations worldwide, to offer courses online for anyone to take, for free.

Early Childhood Investigations
Early Childhood Investigations offers free webinars to early childhood educators.

The series is produced by Engagement Strategies, LLC., and presented by leading authors, experts, and leaders.

FAU: Bachelor’s in Early Care and Education
The Bachelor in Early Care and Education (BECE) degree is designed to prepare teachers and related personnel for employment in the fields of child care and children’s services, working with young children from birth to age five.

ChildCare Education Institute
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) specializes in providing online training and certificates, child care registry development, and administrative solutions for the early care and education industry.

As a leading distance training provider in child care, CCEI offers professionals 100+ online child care training courses in English and Spanish to meet licensing, recognition program, and Head Start requirements.

Penn State Extension: Better Kid Care
Better Kid Care provides professional development to early-care and youth development professionals to improve the quality of their care and educational practices.

Walden University: Online Education Degrees
Walden University offers a wide variety of online education degree programs that can help early childhood teachers take their career further while effecting positive change in the education field.

McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership offers a range of online professional development opportunities that can help early childhood administrators or leaders strengthen their leadership skills and drive organizational change.

Erikson Institute
Erikson Institute is an independent institution of higher education that prepares child development and family service professionals for leadership.

Erikson’s distance learning programs offer the best preparation early childhood teachers can get to teach and care for young children.

Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC)
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) is the official online information and resource site for Office of Head Start (OHS).

It provides timely information, learning opportunities, and comprehensive resources to the Head Start and Early Head Start communities and others involved in early childhood education.

Training Initiatives

Best practices in early childhood education are grounded in quality education and trainings. Our commitment to continuous improvement in learning environments has led us to focus on the following research-based initiatives; STEAM, social-emotional learning and ESOL.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math)

Learn about our STEAM initiative.

Social-Emotional Learning

Learn about our social-emotional learning initiative.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

If you’re an early childhood education professional whose primary language is Spanish and would like to develop your English language skills, watch this video to learn how our ESOL program can help you.

Student Tutorials

New Student Tutorials

Below is information to help you succeed as an online or in-class student.

Tutorial on how to become a student in the Corporate and Continuing Education program.

Tutorial on how to locate and register for trainings provided by the Institute of Excellence.

Are you thinking about taking an online course? To find out if online learning is right for you, view a video that introduces you to online learning through the Institute of Excellence.

Please note:

Unless otherwise indicated, students who enroll must have a working knowledge of the English language.
All students driving a motor vehicle on campus must obtain a Palm Beach State parking permit.

Blackboard Tutorials

Before enrolling in an online or hybrid course take a few minutes to read the Student Success Tips under the eLearning Department to make sure that online learning is right for you.

You will be most successful if you are knowledgeable about what it takes to successfully complete a hybrid or online course.

PROSPECTIVE preschool educator

Career Advising & Tutoring

Whether curious about or interested in the early childhood education field, our career advisors offer support and guidance to persons in Palm Beach County who want to explore how to begin their professional development in early childhood education.

Learn more about our unique approach to career advising.

Find your Career Advisor

Early Learning Career Advising Director

Debra Strange
stranged@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3670

E. L. Professional Development Coordinator
Evelyn Gomez (Spanish Speaking)
gomeze@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3954

E.L. Education Success Center Manager
Laura McCadden
mccaddel@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3998

Career Advisors

Career Advisor/Scholarship Coordinator II

Christina Barone
baronec@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3674

Raquel Gary
garyr@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3782

Myriam Torres (Spanish Speaking)
torresm1@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3953

Career Advisor/Scholarship Coordinator I

Darlene Williams
williaad@palmbeachstate.edu
(561) 868-3997

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Seeking Excellence and Education through Knowledge (SEEK) is a scholarship program dedicated to improving the quality of Palm Beach County early childhood education environments through staff development.

SEEK scholarship is funded by the Children's Services Council and administered by Palm Beach State College through the IEECE.

Funds are available to help pay costs associated with credit coursework, non-credit coursework, books, approved trainings, testing fees, and foreign degree translation/evaluation.

Find your Financial Support Specialist

Program Grant Manager

Zachary Scuderi
scuderiz@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3828

Program Manager, Operations
Stacey Garnett
garnetts@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3669

Fiscal Specialist
Sheila Meeks
ducrams@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3662

Program Specialist
Marklin Green
greenm@palmbeachstate.edu
561-868-3695

Learn more about SEEK Scholarship (English)

SEEK Scholarship (Spanish)

A SEEK scholarship application must be submitted each time a SEEK scholarship award is requested, along with registration information for coursework, trainings or other required documentation.

For each application submitted, the practitioner will receive a letter regarding the status of the SEEK scholarship award.

The scholarship application must be completed in its entirety by the practitioner. Submission of a SEEK Scholarship application indicates that the practitioner has read and agrees to abide by both the Participant Agreement and Recipient Responsibilities.

SEEK Scholarship Handbook

Explore the SEEK Scholarship Handbook

Steps to Apply for SEEK Scholarship

1. Login to your Registry account at
www.pbcregistry.org.

2. Click the Financial Support tab.

3. Click "Apply for Financial Support".

4. Scholarship Type Page: Click on the option you are
applying for and then click "Continue".

5. Review eligibility requirements, then click
"Continue".

6. Enter your Student ID# and course start date (if
applicable).

7. Upload scholarship documentation (e.g. course
schedule, proof of registration).

8. Click "Continue".

9. Review SEEK Scholarship participation agreement
and click "I agree".

10. Click "Save" and then "Finish".