“A lot of people think that childcare is only for girls, but the class is really for anyone. I think more guys should takes this class, it helps prepare you for fatherhood.” – Alexis Gamba Medina
Developing a New Mentality
In a childcare program where enrollment is predominately girls, three boys set a new standard for young men pursing a career in early childhood education.
For the childcare program, the pandemic took away one of the most important parts of learning, the pre-schoolers. Seniors in the program didn’t have kids to learn with since their freshman year. However, despite the lack of hands-on experience, sixteen seniors completed their Child Development Associate credential. What made this group unique was that for the first time in Griselda Perez’ six years as the childcare teacher, boys were among the students who passed the test.
Even more special was the fact that it wasn’t only one, but three boys who passed the certification exam, Michael Aguilar, Alexis Gamba-Medina and Jordan Mccracken. “I am very proud of these boys and what they have accomplished as the male minority in childcare,” said Ms. Perez. By showing that early childhood education isn’t exclusively for women, these three young men have set an example for future students in the program.
This story appears in the 2022 Southernaire Yearbook, purchase your copy for $75 at this link
