This May, Kathryn Salgat, Classroom Support Professional, and Valeria Kellar, classroom teacher, became Day Early Learning’s first graduates of Butler University’s Early Education Certificate Program.
The program equips educators—especially those already working in early learning centers—with research-based tools and practical strategies to strengthen their skills and improve outcomes for young children. The 12-course program blends flexible adult‑focused coursework with real‑world application under the mentorship of cooperative teachers, enabling participants to directly apply new strategies in their classroom as they progress.
Jessica Walters, their school leader at Day Early Learning Patty Jischke in West Lafayette, encouraged both to pursue the certificate program because she saw how motivated they were and knew they were ready to grow.
“Programs like this are important because it helps propel our team members to where they want to be professionally,” said Walters. “It gives them access to others in the field and gives them the ability to share experiences and learn from each other.”
Walters has seen continued growth in Salgat and Kellar since completing the program.
“They are both more confident in their practice and in their own capabilities,” Walters said. “They have been using the tools they were given during their time in the program and are using those tools to their advantage in their classrooms.”
For both Salgat and Kellar, working with children—helping them learn and grow—was something they wanted to do from a very young age.
Salgat loved interacting with children and knew she wanted to go into education. Unable to attend college immediately after high school, she was excited to learn about the Butler program from her school leader.
“This was my first college experience and it’s been really great. I was able to get an education that I know will help me in any classroom,” Salgat said. “I just loved the support I received from my professors and teachers at Day Early Learning. This program gave me more confidence to think about becoming a lead teacher and continue reaching for my goals.”
Kellar came to the program with more than 10 years’ experience in early learning but appreciated that the program helped her deepen her practice.
“I 100 percent believe that in every single course there was something new that I was able take back and be like, ‘Oh, I’ve been doing it this way, but this is so much better and is going to work great in my classroom,’” Kellar said.
To learn more about the Butler Early Education Certificate program, visit their website. Early Learning Indiana’s support of the Butler Early Education Certificate program is made possible by the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc.
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