Student: Madeleine Jay

Instructor: Teena Tocco

Class: Early Childhood Education





Madeleine Jay is a student at Lewis Cass attending classes at Century Career Center in early childhood education. She plans to attend Ball State University to major in Spanish education, history education or elementary education.

What she likes most about her classes at CCC is “I get to spend time doing something I’m interested in and enjoy rather than taking classes just to fill up my schedule.”

She believes these classes are preparing her for her future career and college plans because “my class gives me the chance to see what it’s like to be a teacher while helping me decide if I want to teach at the elementary or high school level.”

Madeleine has been a member of the cross country team through her junior year. She has been involved in swimming since her freshman year and plans to do it this year as well. She also is a member of her school’s fall play.

In her spare time, she likes reading, swimming and making scrapbooks.

Her favorite teacher is her history teacher, Mr. Bates, because “he wanted everyone to succeed and was always good for a laugh.”

The person she looks up to the most is her older brother because “he always gave his best. My son, Dominic, inspires me as well. He inspires me to try my hardest and never give up.”

One of her proudest moments was when her son, Dominic, was born. “I finally knew exactly what I was working toward and how important it is for me to succeed.”

Advice she would give to other students about career planning and preparation is “don’t slack off during your freshman and sophomore years. You may think college seems far away, but it is not. Take classes that challenge and interest you.”

Teena Tocco is the instructor for the early childhood education class at Century Career Center.

She describes Madeleine as someone who is organized, always does her best, is well prepared and works well with peers and children.

“Madeleine deserves this honor because she has the highest grade in both of my classes,” said Tocco.

Her greatest accomplishment is working well as a leader and being a team player.

Some major tasks Madeleine has learned through this class include being able to plan developmentally appropriate activities for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, and presenting the activity and encouraging all children to participate.

Some goals for Madeleine are to be aware and use positive guidance techniques to manage children in large and small groups.

“Hopefully, with taking this program, she will be able to make a good career choice for herself,” said Tocco.