Early Childhood Education Program has Proven Track Record of Creating Great Teachers

Submitted by the School District of Osceola County

The School District of Osceola County has excellent proof that CTE works! Meet Kayra Burdette, a graduate of Saint Cloud High School class of 2012 and a completer of the Early Child Education Program there.

Kayra is an educator in Osceola County and works as a Restorative Practice Coach, the PBIS Coordinator and is the School Advisory Council Co-Chair at Mill Creek Elementary School in Kissimmee. She also happens to be a finalist for the School District of Osceola County’s Teacher of the Year this year.

When asked how her CTE program in high school helped get her where she is today, Kayra had this to say, “The Early Childhood program at Saint Cloud High School laid down the groundwork in my journey to becoming an educator. What makes this program so unique is the opportunity to not only learn best practices within the realm of Early Childhood Education, but to apply them with actual students in the on-site Voluntary prekindergarten class that was just a few doors down from the classroom. This really helped with making concrete connections to content and reality. Within this multi-year program, I gained so many skills that were crucial to my success as a teacher. This included making learning meaningful, having consistent classroom routines and working with students on social skills. When I graduated from SCHS, I was able to obtain my Early Childhood Professional Certificate, which added to my marketability as a prospective teaching candidate. Not only this, but this program also wouldn’t be successful if it weren’t for the dedicated educators that ran it.

In the same fashion that I strive to be a positive influence on my students, the teachers I had in the program were model educators that have made an impact on my professional and personal life.

Denise Peller and Tomie Troxell, with their knowledge and guidance, made my time in the program exceptional. I often think back to my times in the program and appreciate how they challenged and truly cared for me. I carry these experiences with me and utilize them as I work with both students and teachers in my day-to-day work. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be in the Early Childhood program and the opportunities that have shaped me into the educator that I am today.”

The School District of Osceola County currently has 49 teachers within the district that graduated from the Early Childhood program at St. Cloud.