T.E.A.C.H. Talk: June 2022

You are receiving this email because you are a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship recipient or sponsor.

Special Expansion Edition: June 2022

Exciting Era: T.E.A.C.H. Program Expansion Information

As you’ve likely heard by now, exciting, sweeping changes are set to start this summer and fall for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^®Wisconsin and REWARD Wisconsin Stipend programs, thanks to significant funding increases. The changes will bring enhanced supports for Wisconsin’s early childhood educators and your educational and professional journeys over the next two years.

Details, including a series of frequently asked questions for each program, are available on the special expansion webpage on WECA’s website.

What Does This ‘Expansion’ Mean Exactly?

This is extremely good news! Why? Several reimbursements, stipends and bonuses are increasing, making qualified educational pathways nearly free for early childhood educators pursuing credit-based education:

T.E.A.C.H. will now cover 90% of book costs.
Release Time will be reimbursed at the rate of $15.00/hour.
T.E.A.C.H. will cover 100% of the Wisconsin Registry credential fee.
T.E.A.C.H. will pay a one-time technology stipend to recipients.
T.E.A.C.H. will pay a one-time $500 stipend to sponsoring centers and family child care programs.
T.E.A.C.H. bonuses will increase by $100.00, with $25.00 paid at the successful completion of each semester.

Important note: Recipients and centers each will continue to be responsible for only 5% of tuition.

These changes go into effect starting with the fall 2022 semester for all active contracts. You will be formally notified of these changes via email.

Covered Educational Pathways

Scholarships will continue to cover all the educational pathways we have been supporting with T.E.A.C.H. funds (credit-based credentials and associate’s and bachelor’s degrees). A full list of those options are on our website here.

Wisconsin’s T.E.A.C.H. program eligibilities are set by the Department of Children and Families. Accordingly, we prioritize educational pathways that support individuals to access courses, credentials and degrees for family child care providers, assistant and lead teachers, program directors and administrators in foundational early childhood education.

Applying: No Better Time Than Now

Do you know an early childhood educator who is pursuing or wants to pursue higher education? There’s no better time than now to encourage them to apply to the T.E.A.C.H. program! We are accepting applications for the fall semester, which will offer the expanded supports.

After all, the program has been and continues to be well-received by scholars and sponsoring centers alike:

“Take advantage of the support to go back to school. The T.E.A.C.H. program is amazing.”

“It’s never too late to return to school! It’s very empowering and satisfying. The program is well-written and help is always just a phone call away!”

“If you have a passion in taking care and educating young minds, then go for it! Don’t ever doubt yourself – believe that you can do it and it will happen.”

For more details and application information, visit the Let’s Get Started page on our website.

Advocacy and the Power of Stories

Stories of first-hand experiences are powerful advocacy tools to influence transformational change for child care providers and programs. In that spirit, we encourage you to share your story with Raising Wisconsin to ensure provider voices are heard by policymakers. We also urge you to encourage others in your networks to share their stories as well – parents, community members, business leaders and other advocates who want to influence advocacy efforts moving forward.

You can stay informed on child care advocacy efforts in Wisconsin by signing up for the Raising Wisconsin Advocacy Digest, an informative e-newsletter with updates, calls to action and up-to-date research in early care and education and optimal child health and well-being.

Your Voice Matters

Please share your T.E.A.C.H. success stories with us. How did the education you received on a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship impact you, your family, and the children you serve? By giving us your story, we, in turn, share your story and its impact with potential T.E.A.C.H. recipients and funders.

There’s only one person who can tell your story, and that’s you! Please email your story to Cassie at [email protected].