WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Katelyn Disbro
Taking care of young children is serious work, even if it mostly looks like (messy) play. With kids around, there’s often playdough on the floor, paint spattered across the table, and after snack time, crumbs everywhere. But somewhere in the middle of all that noise and motion, children are learning. And the people leading those classrooms carry a big responsibility, helping these kids build the habits and skills they need for kindergarten and that will impact them long after school is finished.
The Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Manatee Technical College helps build that workforce of early educators locally. It’s a 15-week course that preps students with both the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to succeed in child care settings.
Katie Miller, now working at Trinity Children’s Center in Bradenton, completed the program and turned that training into a career. Her story shows how quickly the right opportunity can lead to meaningful work.
“I have always loved being around kids,” Katie says. “I have two younger brothers who I helped take care of growing up, and I babysat a lot in middle and high school. At playgroups, I was always the one helping the younger kids play and get on the playground equipment. I knew I wanted to teach or work with children in some way, and eventually I realized how important the early years are and how much they affect who children become.” Such a brief window of time in a child’s life, she saw, yet with lasting impact.
After graduating from Manatee High School in 2024, Katie was still figuring out the best path forward when she learned about MTC’s early childhood program. Later, she connected with MTC staff at a college fair. She liked the idea of going straight into practical training without the cost and time commitment of a traditional four-year route. After touring the classroom at MTC, she decided the program was the right fit.
During the 15 weeks, the students learn what a career in early childhood education will entail. They study things like child development, safety, and classroom management, and they practice working (and playing) in a model classroom.
“We played with Play-Doh and made slime,” Katie says, grinning. “We also created lesson plans and saw how to incorporate learning into play.” That hands-on side of the program helped sharpen something she had not fully understood before: for young children, play isn’t something happening separately from learning but is how they learn. The activities students practice during the program—the sensory play and repetition, the movement and routines—are exactly what help kids grow and build confidence, and, equally important, how they learn how to function in a group. Katie had always been comfortable around children, but the program helped her see more clearly what was happening beneath the surface of those everyday interactions.
Besides the practical classroom training, the program also helps students take the next step into the field. Participants complete the required DCF training; they get help with resume writing and interview practice as well as exposure to local child care settings. The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) helps cover the cost of the program, making it more accessible for students who want to begin working with children without taking on the expense of a longer degree path. The program can also help open the door to a job, with many students going on to work at local child care centers while continuing their training through the Level I Apprenticeship.
That’s the path Katie is on now, working at Trinity during the day and finishing up Level III of the apprenticeship program one night a week (she’s set to graduate in June). This past April, after her teacher nominated her, Katie was also inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, which honors students who excel in career and technical education. At the ceremony she received a special tassel and cord for graduation. For someone so early in her career, the recognition is even more evidence that Katie is where she’s meant to be.
For now, Katie’s putting her expertise to work in Trinity’s age two classroom. It’s an important in-between age, when they’re still very young but learning quickly and beginning to take in so much of the world. They’re starting to test their independence, but they still need lots of guidance, which means the adults in the room are constantly helping them practice how to communicate and follow routines, not to mention navigating big feelings. It’s safe to say the kids keep Katie busy—and endlessly entertained.
“Every single day is something exciting and new,” she says. “Their little personalities are just so enjoyable. Even if you’re having a hard day, the kids lift you up.” She explains how their end-of-day routine includes dance parties, waving scarves and egg shakers, and playing with bubbles. Those rituals help the kids burn off energy before pickup time, but they also remind Katie why she enjoys the work. “I just like hearing the laughter,” she adds.
Looking back, Katie would agree that MTC’s program added many practical benefits to her journey in becoming an early childhood educator. The costs were covered. She logged training hours, studied child development, and learned safety protocols. But the sense of confidence she gained can’t be understated. What once felt like a natural love for being around children became a clearer picture of the kind of teacher she wanted to be and the role she could play in children’s lives. And just as important as the coursework was the support behind it. Katie points out that her instructor, AnnaMaria Mascherino-Carleton, also helped her feel ready for the classroom. “There were days when I wondered if I could really do this, but Ms. AnnaMaria encouraged me to keep going.”
Having confidence in this field is crucial, because early education asks a lot of its teachers. Some people might see this career as simply supervising children, but to instruct little minds and hearts in how to listen and share, how to join in, how to calm down and try again—in other words, how to live well in the world and to live well with others—is no small role. For students just entering this field, having training and support behind them can make this huge responsibility feel a little more manageable.
“If anyone’s thinking about enrolling in this program, do it. It’s amazing,” Katie says. “It gives you so many tools, resources, and trainings that help you step into the classroom feeling prepared. It has truly shaped the teacher I am today.”
To apply for MTC‘s Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program, visit www.manateetech.edu or call (941) 751-7900 for more information.
