TEACH Early Childhood®: A Year of Transformation and Challenges
by Dallas Brown, Associate Program Director – TEACH
As we reflect on the 2023-2024 school year, it is evident that the TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship, with the help of funding from CDEC, has made an impact on early childhood professionals across Colorado. Despite challenges, the desire for higher education in early childhood remains strong.
Impact of TEACH Scholarships
As we reflect on the 2023-2024 school year, it is evident that the TEACH Early Childhood® scholarship, with the help of funding from CDEC, has made an impact on early childhood professionals across Colorado. Despite challenges, the desire for higher education in early childhood remains strong.
Impact of TEACH Scholarships
In 2023, TEACH supported 153 recipients with nearly $900,000 in scholarships. These professionals came from various roles within the early childhood system:
- 88 teachers
- 19 program directors
- 42 system-supporting professionals (e.g., substitutes, home visitors, coaches)
- 6 family-based professionals
Collectively, they reached over 6,000 children across 32 counties in Colorado.
Participants completed over 1,900 college credit hours, achieving an average GPA of 3.7. TEACH scholars worked tirelessly, balancing school, work and often families, with many citing financial supports as a lifeline. TEACH, in partnership with ECE programs in the community, covers 95% of tuition costs. As a result, TEACH scholars saw an average wage increase of 8% upon program completion, and employers benefited from a 98% retention rate during the post-scholarship work commitment period.
The Challenge: Funding Cuts and Waitlists
Despite these successes, funding challenges have put a strain on the program, and the demand for scholarships continues to exceed the available resources. Nearly 200 applicants are currently on the waitlist, many of whom are previous recipients whose contracts could not be renewed due to reduced capacity. For these individuals, finishing their education and advancing in their careers hangs in the balance.
One such participant, Cierra Carrigan, shared her story:
“The TEACH scholarship has allowed me to pursue a master’s degree that would have otherwise been impossible due to financial constraints. As an infant teacher in a high-cost area, this scholarship has removed the financial barrier to higher education, improving the quality of care I provide and making me feel qualified to open my own childcare center. Without the TEACH scholarship, none of this would be possible.”
Cierra’s is just one of many stories illustrating how essential higher education support is to both individual success and the long-term well-being of the communities they serve.
Real Voices, Real Impact
While many are waiting for the chance to further their education, the stories of those who have already benefited highlight the far-reaching effects of the TEACH scholarship.
Madeline Tanguay, home visitor, shared:
“The opportunity to further my education has been life-changing for me and my family. I hope the knowledge, skills, and degree I gain thanks to this scholarship will positively impact my community as well. I am applying everything I am learning to my current work with children and families as a home visitor and in raising my own young children.”
Similarly, Sobia Khan, working mother and early childhood professional, emphasized:
“The T.E.A.C.H Scholarship is not just about financial assistance; it represents an investment in the future of early childhood education. Without this support, many ECE professionals, myself included, would struggle to afford the costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. For individuals like me who are balancing work, family, and education, the T.E.A.C.H Scholarship makes it possible to pursue our dreams without sacrificing financial stability.”
Help Support the Future of the TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship
The demand for higher education in early childhood is incredible. These professionals are committed to providing high-quality care to children during their most formative years, and higher education leads to better care and a more stable workforce. But without increased funding, the future of these programs remains uncertain.
We need your help to ensure that these scholarships continue to provide opportunities for the dedicated professionals who shape the future of our children.
- Donate: Your financial contribution will help fund scholarships and provide the support needed to help professionals continue their education. Every dollar makes a difference. You can donate at this link.
- Share Your Story: If TEACH has impacted your career or the career of someone you know, share your story. Help spread the word about the importance of supporting higher education for the early childhood workforce. Please email your story to Dallas Brown at dallas@ecclacolorado.org.
Together, we can ensure that early childhood professionals like Cierra, Madeline, and Sobia receive the support they need to make a lasting impact on the children, families and communities they serve. Let’s make sure that the desire for degree attainment and professional growth remains strong, no matter the challenges.
“Without the support of the TEACH Scholarship, the field of ECE would lose out on talented and passionate individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of young children.”
– Sobia Khan“I urge you to consider funding this scholarship so that early childhood professionals can enrich their own lives through education, and in turn, help create positive outcomes for our future leaders and their families.”
– Madeline Tanguay“Please, help preserve the funding for TEACH. You will be empowering people across backgrounds to succeed in a career that provides a vital service to society.”
– Cierra Carrigan
*Cierra’s first statement was lightly edited for conciseness and clarity