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Cobre Valley Institute of Technology (CVIT) is paving the way for future educators through its Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. Launched during the 2023-2024 school year, this initiative equips high school students in grades 10 through 12 with essential skills and hands-on experience to succeed in the early education field. As community needs and opportunities grow, the program aims to become a vital resource for developing and retaining future teachers.
It is well known that Arizona faces a significant teacher shortage. In its fall report, the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association stated that as of September 2024, 25.4 percent of teacher vacancies across the state remained unfilled, while 52.2 percent were filled by teachers who did not meet the state’s standard certification requirements.
Recognizing these challenges, CVIT designed the ECE program as a long-term solution to build a homegrown workforce of passionate, qualified educators.
Kayla Van Cleve, Human Resource Manager for the Globe Unified School District, said that while the district is fully staffed currently, they have relied on international teacher partnerships to meet demand.
“Hiring international teachers is a practice utilized by many districts throughout the state of Arizona and has been proven effective for meeting the state’s needs for certified and qualified teachers,” she said. “Teacher education programs, like the ECE program at CVIT, are vital to help meet the needs of our district and districts throughout the state.”
“The program was developed to address a shortage of educators,” explained Aja DeZeeuw, Central Campus Counselor at CVIT. “By growing our own educators from the community, we’re addressing retention challenges and creating a sustainable pipeline of professionals who understand our region’s unique needs.”
Mike O’Neal, CVIT Superintendent, echoed the program’s importance: “There’s a significant need for this type of training in our community. While we value the contributions of international teachers, having locally trained educators creates lasting stability.”
The program, which began with five students in the 2023-24 school year, has grown significantly. Eight students joined in the fall 2024 semester, followed by six more in the spring of 2025.
The ECE program prepares students to apply for the National Child Development Associate Certificate or the Paraprofessional Praxis certification, giving them a direct pathway into the workforce or higher education. Partnering with Eastern Arizona College (EAC), the program offers dual-enrollment courses, and students who complete the program earn a Certificate of Proficiency. Some courses even transfer to state universities, creating a seamless transition for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
“Our collaboration with EAC and Gila Community College has been instrumental in creating seamless pathways for our students,” DeZeeuw said. “Students can start here, continue their education through Gila Community College when it opens in July of this year, or participate in EAC’s bridge program with Arizona State University to earn a bachelor’s degree while staying close to home.”
One of the program’s standout features is its hands-on approach. Students participate in observation hours and practical classroom activities, including health and nutrition planning, infant development, and lesson creation. This semester, the program’s two second-year students will complete observation hours at Copper Rim Elementary, gaining invaluable real-world experience.
For high school senior and second-year ECE student Nessa Choi, the program has been a turning point. A Globe High School student, Choi joined the program to explore her passion for teaching and has since decided to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education.
“This program gave me the experience I needed to confirm that teaching is my future,” shared Choi. “Meeting so many passionate instructors has been inspiring. Their organization and dedication to this field are things I look up to. Through this program, I’ve learned not just about teaching but also about myself.”
Choi’s involvement isn’t limited to the classroom. She has honed her skills through community outreach, such as teaching art and drama classes at local elementary schools and mentoring younger students through Globe’s Summer Youth Musical Theatre Program. These experiences have enhanced her ability to empathize, manage classrooms, and plan effective lessons—essential skills for any educator.
The ECE program’s success is a testament to the vision of Erika Flores, who founded the program. Her goal was to develop a local talent pool of educators who would stay in the Globe area rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. That vision continues under the leadership of Adjunct Instructor Sharon Navarro, who took over the program last spring.
“We are incredibly grateful to the teachers and administrators who allow our students into the local schools to observe teachers and students firsthand,” Navarro said. “These teachers are sharing their expertise and passion for education, which is helping to strengthen this program and encourage our next generation of teachers.”
As the program enters its second year, DeZeeuw and the team at CVIT are optimistic about its future. Applications for the upcoming semester open in late February, with DeZeeuw actively visiting local high schools to encourage participation.
“We’re committed to growing this program and helping more students earn their certifications. This is not just about filling jobs but creating a generation of passionate and well-prepared educators,” DeZeeuw said.
With a curriculum rooted in experiential learning, community engagement, and academic achievement, CVIT’s Early Childhood Education program is a beacon of hope for both aspiring educators and the community they will serve. As students like Nessa Choi prepare to graduate and embark on their professional journeys, they represent the culmination of a program designed to inspire, educate, and uplift—one classroom at a time.
Carissa Pool is an Arizona native who grew up in Glendale and now lives in Peoria. Carissa earned her bachelor of arts degree from Arizona State University West and in her 15-plus year career in marketing and public relations has worked with a range of clients across various industries, from construction to non-profits. While she takes great pride in her professional achievements, her greatest joys come from writing and cherishing her role as a mother to her two young daughters.
