Pay for Quality

Early Childhood teachers are some of the lowest paid professionals in education. Yet they do some of the most important work in education, laying the ground work for language, literacy, numeracy, & social skills; while observing and screening each child for any signs of delays or need for services or interventions. Pre-K and infant/toddler teachers handle everything from crying, diapering, toilet training, separation anxiety, tantrums, and socialization, all while implementing a full curriculum in all developmental domains across all content areas; AND must adhere to either Head Start National Standards, or receive and maintain NAEYC Accreditation every 5 years. Yet EC teachers do all this while never once losing sight of the fact that they teach the whole child by allowing each child to explore, question, touch, experiment, choose, wonder, discuss, create, imagine and learn through play.  You may have heard of Experiential or project based learning....?  It's learning through play.

I spent last week on Capitol Hill advocating for funding for quality early childhood education. In CT ECE teacher requirements have been mandated for every teacher to have a BA in ECE by 2020. Yet there is no increase in pay once they earn their degree. If we want quality, we have to pay for quality. Early Childhood teachers do not make the same salaries as certified public school teachers. They are mostly working at slightly above minimum wage. It's time for a change. They are professionals, and deserve to be paid as such.