Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA)
From Land-based to Online: Community Colleges
Please see the information below to help with your transition.
- Vol State
Find answers to questions related to instructional technology, such as eLearn, Zoom, and accessibility of course materials.
- TN eCampus
All TN eCampus programs and courses are accessed through D2L Brightspace, a state-of-the-art, user-friendly online learning management system. - D2L Learning Management System
- Roane State
What is Momentum?
This is where you go to access your courses, it is Roane State’s learning management system. Momentum is the online area where you take your online courses and your traditional courses post additional materials.
What is D2L?
Momentum and D2L are the same thing. D2L is short for Desire2Learn, the company that hosts our site. Momentum is the name Roane State chose for our online learning area. - Motlow
One Stop Shop for Help
Financial Assistance for Education
TECTA is here to support you from our Orientation to a PhD. in the field of ECED or
similar majors. In order to receive our service you MUST first attend one of our orientations.
After the orientation, we can help you on your educational journey.
- Child Associate Development Credential (CDA)
How does TECTA support the CDA candidate?
TECTA sponsored CDA assistance program includes the following steps:
Step I: Complete a TECTA Orientation
Step II: Complete the required Early Childhood Courses
- ECED 2310: Safe and Healthy Learning Environments
- ECED 2335: Clinical Practicum I
- ECED 2315: Early Childhood Curriculum
- ECED 2340: Family Dynamics
- ECED 1310 Intro to Early Childhood Education
- ECED 2335 or ECED 1310 (depending on the institution you are attend)
Step III: Participate in CDA support group meetings sponsored by TECTA.
TECTA support includes:
- Providing you with an advisor
- Completing the CDA Assessment Observation Instrument
- Reviewing your Competency Statements and Resource File
- Assisting you with completing the CDA application
- Paying the Application Fee
Who issues the CDA Credential?
The Council for Professional Recognition is the grantor of the CDA Credential. TECTA assist candidates in the process of attaining their credential through tuition assistance, mentor and adviser support
Candidates for CDA assessment must meet the guidelines for submission of materials to the CDA Council. The TECTA statewide management office will award assessment fee scholarships, as funds are available, on a quarterly basis to candidates who have completed the three steps outlined above.
- Tennessee Early Child Program Administrator Credential (TECPAC
The Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential (TECPAC) is a Credential designed to give recognition to early childhood program Administrators and Directors. This credential demonstrates to parents, staff, and stakeholders your dedication to providing the highest quality child care services. Candidates for the Credential are selected based on their experience and educational background. Participation in the academy is free, so candidates can enjoy the benefits of sharpening their leadership and management skills at no cost.
The Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential (TECPAC) is the recognition awarded to early childhood administrators who have demonstrated the specific competencies for effective leadership and management through academics, job experience, and a portfolio assessment. Requirements for the Administrator Credential Selection as a Credential candidate is based on an individual’s education and experience in licensed early childhood agencies.
The Online Academy offers the candidates an opportunity to meet with instructors and communicate with each other without leaving the comfort of their homes. In addition, the Online Academy cuts back on time away from centers, family childcare, or group homes.
There are four levels of the Credential: Provisional, Standard, Master, and Advanced.
Qualifications for each level are:
Earning the Credential
Administrator Academy
Training begins with enrollment in the Administrator Academy. The Academy includes ten modules focused on topics that cover leadership, goal setting, financial and risk management, staffing issues, and more.
Pre- and Post-Assessments
Each candidate receives a pre- and post-assessment on the Program Administration Scale (PAS) for center-based programs or the Business Administration Scale (BAS) for family child care program. The purpose of the assessments is to measure growth over the course of the credentialing process.
Portfolio
Credentials are awarded based on how well a candidate demonstrates their competency for effective leadership as measured by the professional portfolio. The portfolio is comprised of documentation submitted in preparation of the assessments, statements written by the candidate outlined by the NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation, and reflective narratives of the candidate’s leadership and professional contributions.Throughout the process, the TECPAC Program Manager leads the Administrator Academy modules and is available to provide advisement and technical support, portfolio development assistance, and assistance with PAS and BAS goal setting.
A Pathway to Accreditation
Early Childhood program administrators who have earned the Administrator Credential, have multiple years of experience in a licensed early childhood agency, and at minimum an associate degree will be able to meet the educational requirements for an alternate pathway required for NAEYC accreditation.
Renewal
TECPAC recipients who completed at the Provisional and Standard levels must renew every three years. Those who complete at the Advanced and Master levels must renew every five years. If you are interested in renewing your credential, contact the TECTA Leadership Development Team at tectaleadership@tnstate.edu.
Contact
For more information or to enroll in the upcoming Administrator Academy, contact the TECTA Leadership Development Team at tectaleadership@tnstate.edu or Mercedes Ford Miller , TECPAC Manager - 615-277-1692 or mford17@tntstate.edu
- Infant/Toddler Credential
The Infant/Toddler Credential focuses specifically on the unique needs, developmental stages, and care requirements of infants and toddlers. Experienced educators gain specialized knowledge that enables them to provide tailored, high-quality care and education for this age group.
The Infant/Toddler Credential is an advanced credential for those who have a CDA® and extensive experience in an infant/toddler classroom caring for children from birth to age three.
Eligiblity
Eligible candidates for the Infant/Toddler Credential will have completed:
- Infant/Toddler or Family Child Care CDA® or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education
- At least one infant/toddler specific academic course
- Currently employment in a licensed child care program
- At least 900 hours in an infant/toddler classroom.
Earning the Credential
The Infant/Toddler Credential Academy includes 3 “live” modules and 5 online, self-paced modules. The Academy process equals 18 DHS professional development training hours. Each candidate will create a portfolio during the Academy. Credential work will incorporate various methods of assessment which include written essays/reflections, classroom observations, journal reflections, accessing relevant websites and research-based materials, and communication with local TECTA Specialists and CCR&R Infant/Toddler Quality Coaches.Candidates who successfully complete the Credential work, pre and post assessments, and a portfolio review will be awarded the Infant/Toddler Credential. The Credential should take approximately 6-9 months to complete.
Renewal
The Infant/Toddler Credential is valid for three years and is renewable. To renew, Credential recipients must complete at least one Early Childhood Education (ECED) academic course within the three years. A renewal application and a written essay that indicates how the ECED course impacts your work with infants, toddlers, and their families will also be required.
The TECTA Infant/Toddler Pathway
The TECTA Infant/Toddler Pathway provides a roadmap for educators seeking to build upon their knowledge of infant/toddler care. The Pathway highlights the journey from the TECTA Infant/Toddler Orientation to the Infant/Toddler Credential and beyond to a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Start Here Diagram
Contact
Sara Mietzner, ETSU Site Coordinator, at mietzner@mail.etsu.edu for more information about the Infant/Toddler Credential.
- Technical Certificate
- Associate/BS/MS/PHD Degrees
This project is funded through a contract with The Tennessee Department of Human Services
and Tennessee State University, Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.
