Carri-Ann Scott’s educational journey at the University of Guelph-Humber began, in a way, a generation ago.
It was back in 1990 that Scott first attended Humber College’s early childhood education program. As she puts it, “life got in the way,” and Scott left early to pursue a job opportunity. Over the ensuing decades, she worked in human resources, computer programming and website design before she again decided she wanted to work with children.
She returned to Humber in 2008 to complete the program before deciding to continue on in the University of Guelph-Humber’s Early Childhood Studies for Transfer Students program. On Feb. 22, 2018, the program will hold Early Childhood Studies Transfer Information Night for students interested in meeting current students and faculty while exploring the ECS program, study options, course delivery and application process.
Already an early childhood educator with the Simcoe County District Schoolboard, Scott came to UofGH originally because she believed in the value of continuing to educate herself as well as her students.
“What brought me to UofGH was I knew that the horizon of early childhood education as an industry was changing,” she said. “The fact that Guelph-Humber offered a degree that people who are working full-time could achieve in a regular timeframe was amazing.
“It fit right in with my work schedule and my philosophy of continuing education.”
Scott has found that the theoretical knowledge she’s gained through her studies has had an immediate and profound effect on her professional life. She has a new and more holistic understanding of the children she’s teaching and she’s prepared with new methods to reach them.
She’s also made the most of opportunities beyond her coursework. She was thrilled to take part in her program’s Study Abroad trip to Denmark and Iceland. An educational highlight of the trip was seeing the different play styles encouraged in Scandinavian countries. Another cherished memory for Scott was a side trip across Denmark to Legoland.
“It was a pilgrimage,” she said with a laugh. “I am a Lego nut.”
Once she finishes at UofGH later this year, Scott plans to pursue a master’s degree. She has strong words of encouragement for any other would-be mature students who are considering going back to school.
“Now is the time to do it,” she said. “The time flew so fast. It wasn’t easy, but I think I’m a better person for doing it.”
