Our Journey as a Profession

This year, I attended several professional development conferences and workshops. Each conference featured a community session about the future of early childhood education. During each session, presenters shared the status of our field and talked about current legislation. At one session, I learned about the distribution of state and government funds for childcare.

The presenters shared new opportunities for continuing education with monetary bonuses for educators that grow their knowledge and skills. Each session included a question-and-answer period. Educators in the audience used this time to clarify the information presented. The topics that interested educators followed a few common themes.

Concerned educators believe that funders will only offer extra compensation to specific programs willing to make early childhood education more like elementary education with measured and reported educational outcomes.

Educators expressed concern that salary increases from new funding only came as bonuses. No funding source offered annual salary increases for educators to grow as professionals. Bonuses focus on the individual when teachers want to raise ships and grow as a community.

Educators asked more questions. There was a concern that funders might exclude programs or individuals. Several state registries and QRIS programs do not recognize learner-centered pedagogies. For a good reason, many programs worry about access to community-based professional development registries since funding follows compliance in registry programs. The presenters shared that an effort to recognize learner-centered programs exists, but acceptance is progressing slowly.

Our field is on a journey to becoming a profession, and the road ahead is ever-changing. The current path to professionalism requires educators to work together. We need to advocate for a professional pathway with a salary that compensates those willing to obtain a professional degree. The economics of childcare are tricky because parents can only afford a fixed amount. 

How can programs charge enough to compensate early childhood educators as professionals?

What are your challenges in working with professional development systems?

What professional pathways for early childhood educators exist in your state?