Ivy Tech alumna, Alexandra Green, finds career, continues her education

BLOOMINGTON – Alexandra Green, graduate of Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus, graduated cum laude in summer 2016 with her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education. Green began her career while still a student at Ivy Tech, at the Monroe County YMCA Center for Children and Families. There, she works with toddler-age children and has been employed for two years. Green plans to transfer her associate degree to Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in spring 2017 to begin her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Transferring to IWU was part of Green’s plan when she enrolled at Ivy Tech. Green settled down in Indiana after living in Texas with her husband, who was deployed to Afghanistan for nine months and then Korea for a year. She decided to attend the Community College to earn a professional degree to gain upward mobility in the early childhood teaching field

“It is amazing watching children discover new things,” Green said. “I enjoy helping them learn things for themselves.”

Green enrolled at Ivy Tech because of its affordable classes and online options. She says her professional development course and professors Debra Anderson and Jennifer Smallwood helped her excel. In April of 2016, Green received the Early Childhood Excellent Educator Award from Monroe Smart Start. The award recognizes educators who are committed to addressing school readiness in Monroe County and improving the quality of early education throughout the community. Seventeen early childhood teachers in Monroe County received awards.

Green is glad she started her career before she finished her degree. “I encourage anyone considering education to try working in the field first,” she said. “It will make you more aware of what a career in education will be like.”

Green plans to use the T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood scholarship to continue her education at IWU. The scholarship covers 80 percent of tuition and book fees and the remainder is covered by the student and their employer. Although Green did not utilize the scholarship to attend Ivy Tech, T.E.A.C.H. scholarship funds can be used at Ivy Tech to earn an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The T.E.A.C.H. scholarship is available to eligible teachers, directors or family child care home professionals working in licensed, registered, or exempt child care centers in Indiana. Child care workers interested in earning their degree at Ivy Tech through the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship should contact their employer and complete an application online. The scholarship is offered through the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children. For more information, eligibility requirements, and to apply visit http://secure.iaeyc.org/programs-research/teach-early-childhood-indiana/.

Ivy Tech offers an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, which focuses on pre-kindergarten through grade 3 and also special needs education. For more information visit www.ivytech.edu/early-childhood. Ivy Tech also offers an associate degree in Education, which offers primary education for grades K-6. For more information visit www.ivytech.edu/education. Ivy Tech second 8-week classes begin October 17. To enroll, visit www.ivytech.edu/applynow, stop into Ivy Tech Bloomington located at 200 Daniels Way, or call (812) 330-6013. Ivy Tech is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

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