Higher Ed Perspective on TEACH: Dr. Ashley Simpson

There are many benefits for students that receive college grants:

• They lessen the impact of increasing tuition cost,
• They allow students more time to focus on their studies,
• And they decrease the number of student loans,

But for CCA students receiving the TEACH Scholarship, there are two main benefits; one, this grant offers the college opportunities to recruit students into the field of education thus diversifying the teacher pipeline. Two, the students who receive this scholarship are given the opportunity to enter the field and remain in the field with little or no out of pocket cost thus decreasing the workforce gap and employee retention rates.

What does this really mean? Our students come to us from all walks of life and because of their individual drives and dedication to the education of ALL children, we want to make sure that any barriers that prevent them from being the best teacher, childcare provider, or childcare advocate are removed… we remove these barriers by promoting the TEACH Scholarship within the college and community. This scholarship allows us to recruit, retain, and train the best students who one day will become the best educators in any area of education.

– Dr. Ashley Simpson, Community College of Aurora & TEACH Advisory Committee Member