What is T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI?
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MISSOURI Scholarship is an educational scholarship opportunity for early childhood care providers in licensed centers and family or group homes. Based on the belief that Teacher Education And Compensation Helps, T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI is a nationwide movement to increase quality child care and education. Working directly with licensed early childhood programs, T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI is rooted in four fundamental outcomes: scholarship, education, compensation, and commitment. Offered statewide, the scholarship has three levels available that differ in the degree sought and the amount of perks available. Brought to Missouri in 1999, the project is administered by the Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network.
Why is T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI needed?
The education level of child care providers is one of the most critical indicators of the quality of a child’s experience in child care. Addressing two major areas of concern in the early care field, low wages and high turnover of child care providers, the scholarship increases compensation and the retention of teachers after their education.
Who benefits from T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI?
Children:
As the primary beneficiaries of T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI, children benefit from lasting relationships with consistent caregivers committed to the field. Children profit from teachers who are specialists in early childhood education and development and who possess sensitivity to the needs of the very young.
Recipients:
Teachers, assistants, directors, owners, and family child care professionals increase their knowledge and skill level through college course work. Recipients receive increased compensation for completion of classes, as well as, support and career advising through a T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI scholarship counselor. As a result, heightened professional status and job satisfaction are attained.
Sponsoring Child Care Programs:
Child care facilities benefit through knowledgeable staff members who apply higher quality early childhood practices to the children and families in their care. Programs experience reduced staff turnover, helping to improve quality and marketability while using the scholarship as a recruitment and advertising tool to the benefit of the facility.
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
All teachers, directors, owners, assistants, and family group or home child care providers who:
- Have a desire to earn college credit towards a National CDA Credential or an AA/AAS or BA/BS degree in early childhood care & education
- Work directly with the children 0 to 5 years old each day in a licensed child care facility
- Are 18 years or older
- Work directly with children at least 30 hours a week in a 9 or 12 month program
- Have a GED or high school diploma
- Make under $14.50/hr as a teacher or $16/hr as a director or owner
What is the commitment required?
Scholarship Recipients:
- Attend and successfully complete 9-15 credit hours over three consecutive semesters
- Pay 10-15% of the cost of tuition and books
- Agree to remain at the sponsoring child care program for six months to one year beyond the educational contract
Sponsoring Child Care Programs:
- As sponsors within the scholarship, contribute 10-15% of tuition and book costs
- At the AA/AAS and BA/BS levels, provide recipients with paid release time from work each week to study
- Award the recipient a bonus or raise upon completion of contract requirements
T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI:
- Pays 75-90% of books and tuition for 9-15 college credit hours over three consecutive semesters
- Provides a travel stipend at the AA/AAS Level
- Pays a bonus upon completion of a year contract
- Offers daily phone access to a scholarship counselor for career counseling
- Reimburses sponsors for release time at a rate of $7.50 per hour each week the recipient attends classes based on scholarship level
What degree can I earn?
T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI supports college credit hours towards the National CDA Credential, AA/AAS, and BA/BS in early childhood education. All interested early childhood educators should call T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI today! Applications are accepted year round.
Who funds T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI?
The scholarship is a partnership between scholarship recipients, sponsoring child care programs and T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI. Funders for T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI have included the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Missouri Department of Social Services, and Community Partnerships in Boone and St. Louis counties.
What are the goals of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MISSOURI Project?
- Improving the quality of early childhood care and education by promoting school success
- Increasing the education level of early childhood educators
- Increasing the compensation level for early childhood providers
- Increasing the retention rate of early childhood professionals
- Improving the quality and continuity of care provided to children and families
- Creating a model of partnership in Missouri early childhood programs.
What are the T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI levels of scholarship?
To best serve the diverse child care population in the state, T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI has created three levels of scholarship. Please note that the scholarship levels increase by the amount of perks associated with each, not the degree sought. Read through and find theone that is right for you.