History of the ECCE Men of Excellence (M.E.N.) Initiative

The ECCE Men of Excellence initiative was founded on February 23, 2023, during the spring semester at Atlanta Technical College. It was established under the visionary leadership of Jim Gale, Jr. within the Business and Public Service Technologies Division, and in close alignment with the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Department. The program is in high demand and follows a non-traditional model. We offer asynchronous, synchronous, in-person, and weekend classes to accommodate diverse learning needs, including those of working adults. Our inaugural Men of Excellence Student of the Year for 2024 is Zachary White. (Below, slide one)
The program began with 28 dedicated young men, passionate about pursuing careers in early childhood education. Their journey was initially supported by the former leadership of Mr. Julius Cave (pictured, slide two) and the Leading Men Fellowship Organization (The Literacy Lab, slide three). During the inaugural event, these students spent the day on the Atlanta Technical College campus engaging with representatives from essential departments such as Financial Aid, Student Success/Advisement, Tutoring Services, and Student Life. They also explored campus amenities, including the student lounge, which is designed to foster studying and networking.

Eligibility and Commitment

Male students enrolled in the ECCE program who are fully admitted and enrolled at the college are eligible to join the Men of Excellence initiative. Members commit to:

  • Demonstrating leadership and a commitment to excellence.
  • Actively participating in community service projects.
  • Engaging in professional development and mental health symposiums.
  • Taking part in academic success activities to promote enrollment, retention, and graduation

Mission Statement

The mission of the ECCE Men of Excellence is to foster a supportive and enriching environment for male students enrolled in the ECCE program whether pursuing a Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC), Diploma, or Associate Degree. We aim to promote personal and professional growth, empowering students to thrive academically and prepare for impactful careers in early childhood education.

Core Values

Excellence Professionalism Respect Customer Service Diversity & Inclusion Teamwork Community

Vision Statement

To empower and inspire future early childhood educators especially men to lead with excellence and make a lasting impact in their communities and careers.

Our Four Pillars of an Excellent Journey

Enagement

  • GPA & Growth Monitoring: Track academic performance and personal development.
  • Term Checkpoints: Beginning, middle, and end-of-semester reviews.
  • Midterm & Final Exams: Key academic milestones for reflection and planning.
  • Ongoing Early Alerts: Proactive support for students needing academic assistance.
  • Enrollment, Retention & Graduation Tracking: Focused efforts to keep students on the path to success.

Academic Standing

  • Good Standing Requirements: Clear academic benchmarks students must maintain to remain eligible for enrollment and extracurricular participation.
  • Probation & Intervention Plans: Structured support for students falling below required GPA or credit completion rates.
  • SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Compliance: Monitoring of federal and institutional requirements tied to financial aid eligibility.
  • Reinstatement & Appeal Processes: Guidance for students seeking to return to good standing after suspension or academic warning.
  • Completion Pathways: Personalized graduation planning to ensure students remain on track for credential attainment.

Social-Emotional Development & Learning

  • Wraparound Services: Holistic support that addresses academic, emotional, and personal needs.
  • Career & Industry Guest Speakers: Exposure to real world experiences and inspiration from professionals in the field.
  • Appreciative Advisement: Personalized guidance, including official registration for the next two semesters to ensure academic continuity.
  • Life Consultation: One-on-one support for navigating life challenges, identifying needs, and setting goals for current and future success.

Glow and Grows

  • Course Mastery: Reflect on all courses taken whether passed or failed as opportunities for learning and growth.
  • Technology Integration: Embrace digital tools to enhance learning and future readiness.
  • Term Registration: Ensure students are consistently enrolled and progressing toward their goals.
  • FAFSA Completion: Support students in securing financial aid each academic year.
  • Recognition & Celebration: Highlight student achievements, awards, and honors to build confidence and community pride.

Our Commitment

We are dedicated to supporting the growth and success of all ECCE students through:

  • Professional Development: Building knowledge and skills, including mental health awareness and classroom excellence.
  • Gender-Inclusive Teaching Practices: Promoting strategies that challenge stereotypes and support diverse learning styles.
  • Networking & Communication: Creating platforms for students to connect, share experiences, and grow professionally.
  • Educational Events: Hosting events that enhance academic and practical understanding of early childhood education.
  • Community Engagement: Participating in service projects that build social responsibility and real-world experience.
  • Leadership Opportunities: Offering internships, peer collaboration, and hands-on learning to develop leadership skills.
  • Professionalism & Ethics: Upholding high standards of conduct while embracing diversity and inclusion.
  • Lifelong Learning: Staying current with trends and research in early childhood education.
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Supporting Our Students

The ECCE Men of Excellence has an experienced 6 member advisory council and the males in the ECCE program meets every other month. Also, we have an amazing, structured mentorship program.  Each male mentor, comprised of faculty and staff across the college, is paired with an ECCE male mentee to provide ongoing guidance, meet monthly, and ensure balanced progress in academics, work, and life responsibilities.
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Inaugural Advisory Council Members: Arif Bailey, Brian Bowers, Julius Caves, Brannon Jones, Curtis Parker and Keedar Whittle

Community Engagement and Impact

The initiative has already made meaningful contributions by participating in:

  • The inaugural African American Male Summit
  • Read Across America events and classroom support within Atlanta Metro Schools
  • First Generation and Financial Literacy Initiatives 
  • Recruitment efforts include outreach at gender-specific high schools, dual enrollment programs, and local schools such as Atlanta College and Career Academy, Atlanta Public Schools, the Promise Career Institute, and Fulton County College and Career Academy, Fulton County Schools
  • Student Government Association Activities
  • Holiday sponsorships and peer support during bereavement periods
  • ECCE Male Networking Mixer (held every Spring semester)
  • "Inspire to Hire" Hiring Fair provided an opportunity to speak with representatives from various school districts in our service area, including Atlanta, Clayton, and Fulton counties.
  • Our impactful Mentoring Program from "Interest to Impact".
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THE MEN THAT HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN

Program Growth and Future Vision

Since its inception, the program has seen remarkable growth, boasting a 100% retention and job placement rate within the early childhood education field during its first year. The Men of Excellence remain actively engaged, closely monitoring academic performance and attendance in alignment with the college’s strategic plan. Additionally, the initiative has achieved a 100% success rate on the Paraprofessional Assessment while equipping male students with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce.
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Looking ahead, the initiative plans to expand mentorship opportunities by connecting ECCE male students with young males in the colleges on campus Early Learning Center Pre-K classroom. This new phase aims to further build accountability, leadership, and community within the program.
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Thank you for taking the time to explore the exceptional opportunities available to both prospective and current ECCE students.
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Chasing Excellence, 
Professor Jim Gale, Jr 

Interested? Contact Transformational Leader Jim Gale Jr.

Jgale@atlantatech.edu

Jim Gale- photo 1