Nicolle Giraldo - East Quogue UFSD

As the oldest of four children, Nicolle Giraldo had some practice with wrangling young children before she joined the Early Childhood Education Program at Ward Tech. “I babysat all my siblings,” Nicolle said. “I also currently babysit my brother’s children. That’s how I learned I love working with children.”

Nicolle is a senior from East Quogue UFSD, and an Early Childhood Education student. In her second year, she finds she is more confident when it comes to working with students of her own. “The first year, I was nervous about meeting the little ones, but now that’s not the case,” she said. “I’m excited to meet them and learn their personalities. It’s my favorite part of being in the program.”

In addition to working in the preschool at WTC, Nicolle serves as Vice President of the WTC SkillsUSA Chapter. The leadership organization gives her an opportunity to put her skills to the test. In 2018, Nicolle came in second place in the New York State Early Childhood Education Competition with a lesson plan based around music and movement that helped young students develop their gross motor skills.

As part of the second year of the Early Childhood Program, Nicolle will start an internship working in a preschool in her home district, where she will get real-world experience that will prepare her for her career. Next year, Nicolle plans to study Early Childhood Education at Suffolk County Community College.She intends to major in education and minor in business with the hope of running her own day care.

Click here to read about our Early Childhood Education Program