Josie Emch
Not even a pandemic is going to stop alumna, Josie Emch (pictured on left with fellow PVCC alum, Sandra Israel), from launching her own business. In March, she did just that. She combined her two passions, education and entrepreneurship, and created Sitters Select. Sitters Select offers babysitting, tutoring, pet sitting and housesitting. These are not your traditional babysitters. They are education majors who are ready to teach, enabling them to gain practicum hours and resume building experience. Of her 45 employees, 75 percent of them are PVCC Education students or graduates. She currently collaborates with the Education Departments at PVCC, ASU and GCU.
During the pandemic, her sitters are being relied on even more to assist families with home school instruction. In these uncertain times, Josie has learned to be accommodating, utilize her critical thinking skills, keep an open mind and develop a plan of action that best suits the needs of the families they serve. Read Josie’s Story…
Jenna Dawson
Educators from college-level to preschool had to quickly pivot their learning modes when the virus escalated in March, and PVCC Education alumna, Jenna Dawson, was ready for the challenge. As an Assistant Teacher for a preschool in Scottsdale, she found ways to engage three-year-olds over the computer. She created activities such as finding something of a certain color or sharing a favorite stuffed animal. Jenna even delivered materials to students’ homes and said hello to the kids from a distance.
As both a teacher and full-time NAU student, Jenna acknowledges the unique perspective she has on education during these unprecedented times. As a student, she thinks about her new learning environments and what she may be missing. As a teacher, she is committed to identifying and addressing what may be missing in the new virtual classroom. Read Jenna’s Story…
Vicky Phetteplace
Alumna, Vicky Phetteplace, utilized strategies she learned in the Early Childhood Education Program to keep children excited about learning during this summer’s Deer Valley Unified School District Summer Camp. Vicky’s third grade students benefitted from her caring and innovative teaching methods.
“I brought in a basket and a pail full of open-ended materials like foil, yarn, lunch bags, tape, duct tape, beans and popsicle sticks. They created purses, banks, a board game, backpacks and lots of robots,” shared Vicky. “They were engrossed and talking about what they made and how they would use their creations. It was amazing to watch. I also bought the book How to Eat Fried Worms to do a daily read with them and they loved it!” Read Vicky’s Story…
PVCC is proud knowing these dedicated and passionate educators are committed to expanding the minds of our young children during this challenging time.