Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance
Southwest Tennessee Community College
737 Union Avenue, Suite E 105
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 333-5541
fax: (901) 333-5750
www.southwest.tn.edu\tecta
Southwest Tennessee Community College
737 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 333-5600 www.southwest.tn.edu
May 1, 2019
Dear Prospective Student,
We are so excited that you are interested in earning the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). I have
attached the TECTA Financial Assistance Packet to this letter.
To be eligible for TECTA’s financial assistance, providers must have completed the TECTA Orientation. Once you
have completed the Orientation, you are eligible for college scholarships and mentoring through the CDA process.
Once you are ready to take courses, please follow the instructions on the next page to apply for admissions to
Southwest and to register for the needed courses.
To earn the CDA with TECTA’s assistance, you must take four specific college courses at Southwest.
Once you complete the four courses, you will be assigned to a CDA mentoring cohort. The cohort lasts anywhere
from 3 9 months depending on the pace at which you complete assignments. The group will meet monthly to write
statements of competence, compile a portfolio, review your classroom setup and interactions, and write your
philosophy of early childhood teaching.
TECTA will walk you through the process of creating your portfolio and applying for the credential. TECTA also
pays the $425 application fee for you.
To be eligible to complete the CDA application process, candidates must be observed working as the lead teacher in
an early childhood program. The following criteria must also be met:
If applying for an infant toddler CDA, candidates must be observed working with at least 3 children (birth to
36 months). There must be at least ten children enrolled in the program and there must be at least two
caregivers in the program.
If applying for a preschool CDA, candidates must be observed working with at least 8 children (three to five
years old). There must be at least ten children enrolled in the program and there must be at least two
caregivers in the program
If applying for a family child care CDA, candidates must be observed working with 2 children (five years or
younger) not related by blood or marriage.
We are excited that you are ready to take your first step in the CDA process with TECTA!!! If you have any
questions, feel free to call us at 333-5541. Thank you for letting TECTA be a part of your educational journey!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth O. Wilson, MS
TECTA Southwest Director
Instructions for Southwest Admissions and Registration for CDA Support Courses
We are excited that you want to take college courses with TECTA’s support. Please follow the
instructions below to successfully be admitted to Southwest and register for your courses.
1. Complete an online admission application for Southwest,
http://www.southwest.tn.edu/ApplyOnline.htm
. As you fill out the application, please choose the option
“not seeking a degree” when asked for student type. If you choose anything else, you will have to supply
additional documents.
2. You w
ill receive an email from admissions letting you know you have been admitted. If you do not
receive the email, there was an issue with your application and you need to contact TECTA or
admissions. If there are items that need to be submitted for your admissions file, you will receive another
email. If you need to turn things in, you are welcome to scan them or take a picture of them and email it
to TECTA. Elizabeth will walk it through admissions for you.
3. Provide proof of citizenship to the admissions office. This is most frequently accomplished with at TN
Driver License or ID. You can upload this information through the admissions upload online page or
you may email it to TECTA and Elizabeth can submit it for you.
4. Create a Southwest student account. Go to my.southwest.tn.edu
Locate and select "First Time Users"
Follow the instructions on the page and enter information in appropriate boxes
Your username will appear (jsmith) or (jsmith2)
To set up your My.Southwest Student Account, follow the directions and create a password.
To access your student account, repeat steps 1 and 2
Setting this account also creates your email (example: jsmith@southwest.tn.edu). For assistance
accessing your email account, contact the Help Desk at 901-333-4357 (HELP).
The evening course options for fall are below. If you need online or daytime sections, you may look
them up in the registration portal or contact our office.
5. Once you are registered for classes, you must complete the TECTA Financial Assistance package and
turn it in to the TECTA office. You may fax it to 333-5750 or email it to ewilson@southwest.tn.edu
.
6. You may choose to pay your fees in person or online. If you plan to pay in person, you will need to get a
voucher from the TECTA office prior to going to the Cashier’s office on the Union or Macon Campuses.
Please contact me at 333-5534 to schedule a time to pick up the voucher
If you plan to pay online, you will log in to your my.southwest.tn.edu account.
Choose the self service icon - Choose Student Account - Choose Make a Payment - Open Online Bill
Pay - Click on pay by term – enter the amount of your payment ($50 or $100) in the box on the right.
Follow instructions from this point for credit/debit card payment.
For more information about admissions or registration, you can find the Southwest non-degree-seeking
student checklist at this link.
http://www.southwest.tn.edu/documents/admissions/checklists/nonDegreeSeeking.htm
81331 ECED 2310 251 Safe, Healthy, Learning Thurs 06:00 pm-09:00 pm Union 208
81333 ECED 2315 251 Early Child Curriculum Tues 06:00 pm-09:00 pm Union 208
81336 ECED 2335 151 Initial Practicum Wed 06:00 pm-09:00 pm Macon C 275
81337 ECED 2340 151 Family Dynamics Mon 06:00 pm-09:00 pm Macon C 188
82181 ECED 2310 251 Safe, Healthy, Learning Thurs 06:00 pm-09:00 pm Whitehaven Center
82182 ECED 2315 251 Early Child Curriculum Tues 06:00 pm-09:00 pm Whitehaven Center
Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA)
Southwest Tennessee Community College
737 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38117
P: (901) 333-5541
F: (901) 333-5750
TECTA Tuition Assistance Checklist
First Semester CDA Seeking Students - Summer 2019
Please be sure to submit all of the items listed above. Scholarship applications that are not complete cannot
be considered.
Tuition Payment Information:
The student portion of fees for two courses is $110.
You may pick up your payment voucher in the TECTA office or call the office (333-5541) and request it be
mailed to you.
TECTA cannot make a scholarship payment until you pay the student portion of your fees.
To ensure that TECTA has time to make a scholarship payment, the student portion is due:
o by 3:00 on August 12 for early registration
o by 3:00 on the day of registration during regular registration if funds are still available
Students are not eligible to receive a refund from federal financial aid and TECTA. If you receive federal
financial aid your TECTA award amount may be adjusted.
* Funds are limited this year and are available on a “first come first serve” basis. TECTA cannot make a payment or
guarantee funds availability until you register for your course and pay the student portion of your fees.
Student Signature
Completed Tuition Assistance Checklist (this page, checked and signed)
Completed Application for Academic Financial Support (one for each course)
Student Information Form
Student Request to Share Information
Copy of your Fall 2019 course schedule
Copy of check stub as proof of employment in a licensed early childhood program
The TECTA program is funded through a contract with the Tennessee
Department of Human Services and Tennessee State University,
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.
Revised 2/2017
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences w Tennessee State University
TECTA Application for Academic Financial Support
Course Information
College/University __________________________________ Semester _Fall _ Year_2019_____ Textbook Only_____
Course Name ______________________________________ Subject ________Course Number ________ Section
_________ Personal Information
Name: Last ___________________________________ First __________________________ Middle ___________________
Social Security Number _____-_____-______ Gender: Male Female
Citizenship: United States Other E-mail ________________________________________________________
Date of Birth _____/_____/_______ Ethnicity: Hispanic Non -Hispanic
Race: Asian Pacific Islander Black Native American Indian/Alaska Native Other
Two or more races White
Home Address ______________________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________________________ State ________ Zip ___________
Home County ________________________________ Home Phone (___)____________ Mobile Phone (___)____________
Emergency Contact Person _________________________________Phone (___)____________
Academic degree program this semester: CDA Prep CDA Renewal Technical Certificate
Administrator Credential Associate Degree Bachelors Degree Graduate Degree
Desired Major: Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Pre-K Other________________
Graduation Status: I will graduate this semester: Yes  No
Employment Information
Your Place of Employment ______________________________________ County where you Work ____________________
Work Address _________________________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________________ State _______ Zip ___________
Name of Director: Last ________________________________ First _____________________________
Phone (___)____________Fax (___)____________ Director’s E-mail _____________________________________________
Agency Type
Center Dept. of Education Home Visitor Family Group Home High School
Higher Education Registered Unregulated
Eligibility
I understand that I am enrolling in an academic course and will be responsible for completing the class. Failure to complete all
information on this form will result in my application not being processed. If for any reason I cannot finish the course, I will submit
notice to the TECTA office in writing immediately, return textbook(s), and agree to pay the entire tuition fee for re-enrollment in a
TECTA class.
In order to qualify for continued TECTA support, each student must provide a transcript showing that they completed and passed the
previous course(s) for which they received financial support from the TECTA program. By signing below I give permission to the
institution to release my academic progress and records to representatives from the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance.
Signature __________________________________________________________ Date ______________________
Phone : (901) 333-5541
P O Box 780
Memphis, TN 38101
Southwest Tennessee Community College
The TECTA program is funded through a contract with the Tennessee
Department of Human Services and Tennessee State University,
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.
Revised 2/2017
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences w Tennessee State University
TECTA Application for Academic Financial Support
Course Information
College/University __________________________________ Semester _Fall Year__2019 _____ Textbook Only_____
Course Name ______________________________________ Subject ________Course Number ________ Section
_________ Personal Information
Name: Last ___________________________________ First __________________________ Middle ___________________
Social Security Number _____-_____-______ Gender: Male Female
Citizenship: United States Other E-mail ________________________________________________________
Date of Birth _____/_____/_______ Ethnicity: Hispanic Non -Hispanic
Race: Asian Pacific Islander Black Native American Indian/Alaska Native Other
Two or more races White
Home Address ______________________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________________________ State ________ Zip ___________
Home County ________________________________ Home Phone (___)____________ Mobile Phone (___)____________
Emergency Contact Person _________________________________Phone (___)____________
Academic degree program this semester: CDA Prep CDA Renewal Technical Certificate
Administrator Credential Associate Degree Bachelors Degree Graduate Degree
Desired Major: Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Pre-K Other________________
Graduation Status: I will graduate this semester: Yes  No
Employment Information
Your Place of Employment ______________________________________ County where you Work ____________________
Work Address _________________________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________________ State _______ Zip ___________
Name of Director: Last ________________________________ First _____________________________
Phone (___)____________Fax (___)____________ Director’s E-mail _____________________________________________
Agency Type
Center Dept. of Education Home Visitor Family Group Home High School
Higher Education Registered Unregulated
Eligibility
I understand that I am enrolling in an academic course and will be responsible for completing the class. Failure to complete all
information on this form will result in my application not being processed. If for any reason I cannot finish the course, I will submit
notice to the TECTA office in writing immediately, return textbook(s), and agree to pay the entire tuition fee for re-enrollment in a
TECTA class.
In order to qualify for continued TECTA support, each student must provide a transcript showing that they completed and passed the
previous course(s) for which they received financial support from the TECTA program. By signing below I give permission to the
institution to release my academic progress and records to representatives from the Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance.
Signature __________________________________________________________ Date ______________________
Phone : (901) 333-5541
P O Box 780
Memphis, TN 38101
Southwest Tennessee Community College
The TECTA program is funded through a contract with the Tennessee
Department of Human Services and Tennessee State University,
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.
Revised 4/2017
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences w Tennessee State University
TECTA Student Information Form
TECTA Orientation Location or Institution Attending __6RXWKZHVW7HQQHVVHH&RPPXQLW\&ROOHJH____________________
Social Security Number _____ - _____ - _______
Name ________________________________ ________________________ _____________________
Last First Middle
Employment Status
Your Place of Employment _______________________________________________________________________________
Ages of children in classroom (choose one)
o Birth to 8 months o 9 to 17 months o 18 to 36 months o 3 to 5 year olds
o School-Age o Family Childcare
o Mixed-age Group: Infants o Mixed-age Group: Infants and Preschool o Not a Direct Care Provider
TECTA Support Received for: Semester _Fall__________ Year _2019___________
Salary: Please note: this question is for research purposes ONLY. Individual responses will not be identified or published.
$ ____________ per Hour
Current Position Title: o Asst. Director o Asst. Director/Teacher o Caregiver/Teacher
o DHS Staff o Director o Director/Teacher o Home Visitor
o Home Visitor Supervisor o Other o Owner of Program o Sub/Floater
o Teacher Aide o Authorized o Volunteer
Number of years in current position ________ Number of years in Early Childhood Field _______
Number of years at current place of employment _______ Hours worked per week_____________
Do you have children with diagnosed delays or disabilities in your classroom? o Yes o No
Number of children in your classroom____________
Please complete the reverse side if you are a first-time TECTA-supported student.
The TECTA program is funded through a contract with the Tennessee
Department of Human Services and Tennessee State University,
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences.
Revised 4/2017
Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences w Tennessee State University
TECTA Student Information Form
Complete this side if this is the first time you are receiving TECTA services.
Please check the professional organization(s) to which you belong:
o Head Start Association o National Association for the Education of Young Children
o National Black Child Development Institute o National Child Care Association
o National Family Child Care Association o Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children
o Tennessee Family Child Care Alliance o Tennessee School-Age Care Alliance
Highest education level completed before seeking TECTA support
o Less than 9th grade o 9th 12th grade (no diploma) o High School Graduate/GED
o Some College o Technical Certificate o Associate of Applied Science
o Associate Degree o Bachelors/Baccalaureate Degree o Masters/Doctorate Degree
College or University of Highest Degree ________________________________________________________
Major: o Early Childhood Education o Elementary Education o Special Education
o Other ____________________ Graduation Date of Highest Degree ______/_________
Parents’ Educational Levels
Mother
o Less than 9th grade o 9th 12th grade (no diploma) o High School Graduate/GED
o Some College o Technical Certificate o Associate of Applied Science
o Associate Degree o Bachelors/Baccalaureate Degree o Masters/Doctorate Degree
Father
o Less than 9th grade o 9th 12th grade (no diploma) o High School Graduate/GED
o Some College o Technical Certificate o Associate of Applied Science
o Associate Degree o Bachelors/Baccalaureate Degree o Masters/Doctorate Degree
Professional Objectives
Why do you want to participate in TECTA training? (Check all that apply):
o Further my education o Help with my job search o Improve my job skills o Obtain a CDA
o Obtain a raise/higher pay
Have you completed other early childhood training during the last 12 months? o Yes o No
Did your employer require the training? o Yes o No
Do you plan to continue working in child care? o Yes o No
If no, please tell us why_________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE: If you have changed your name and/or address since you last enrolled in a TECTA-supported course, please fill out a
TECTA Student Change of Information Form and return it as soon as possible to your local TECTA site.
Student Request to Share Information
Office of Admission and Records
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Name of institution where student is enrolled
Student’s Name ______________________________________________________________
(Please Print) Last First Middle Initial
SS# ___________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
Street
_________________________________________________
City State Zip Code
Phone: ( )_________ ____
Semester: _Summer___ Year:_2019_______
I know that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(FERPA), protects the privacy of my student educational records and limits access to the
information contained in those records. Because I receive financial support covering all or part of
my tuition from the TSU-TECTA program, I am hereby authorizing the Southwest Tennessee
Community College Office of Admission and Records to release my grades and academic status
information to the local TECTA Site Director for transmission to the TSU-TECTA Management
Office. The information will be used to determine and verify my eligibility for continued TSU-
TECTA financial support and will be protected in accordance with the provisions FERPA. My
grade and academic status information should be sent to:
Name: _Elizabeth O. Wilson , Southwest -TECTA Director
Address: __Southwest Tennessee Community College ______
__P.O. Box 780 ________________________
__Memphis, TN 38101-0780__ _________________
__(901) 333-5541 ________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________
Student’s Signature Date