SOUTH POINT — The Early Childhood Center in South Point is closing in on high quality education — from high quality teachers.

Five of the eight full time instructors at the ECC have attained their master’s degrees in education over the past year. The teachers have decided to use their quality education to its fullest by developing the minds of young children in Lawrence County.

“I want to stay with the ECC to further the education of children and those with special needs,” says Annette Payne, an ECC instructor who attained her degree last fall. “I’ve never thought about changing, and I’m very content with being here with my career.”

Michelle Denning, an instructor who graduated from Marshall University in the fall of 2008, says she has more specialized knowledge to work with young children since furthering her education.

“I never planned to receive my degree in preschool special education until I began working here. The extra knowledge really has been helpful when it comes to working with the kids.”

According to the Website, MastersDegree.com, a master’s degree in teaching offers an excellent way to hone a teacher’s skills, as well as improve one’s results in the classroom. Teachers can use a master’s degree to perfect their skills, get better results, and perhaps even get the qualifications they need to move up the career ladder.

And Beth Kelley couldn’t agree more about the results.

“I’ve really learned how to deal with certain aspects, such as time delay in certain students and how to deal with that challenge.” Kelley recently received her master’s degree from Toledo University.

Veronica Chapman and Kelli Leffingwell both just received their master’s degree from Rio Grande University and are utilizing their new skills at the ECC as well.

“I love that we are providing excellent education from high quality teachers,” says Sue Vanderhoof, director of the Early childhood center. “It shows just how great of a program that we have, and what we can offer to individuals and families of the community. Providing children with this type of education isn’t something you find everywhere, and to have it here in Lawrence County is something that we are very proud of.”

The Early Childhood Center serves 197 children in Lawrence County. For more information about the ECC and the Lawrence County Board of DD, call (740) 532-7401.