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TEACH Early Childhood Pennsylvania® Celebrates 144 Graduating Scholars!
On June 11th the Pennsylvania Child Care Association in partnership with the Start Strong PA campaign held a virtual celebration for 144 TEACH scholarship graduates from the summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters. More than 90 graduates, sponsoring employers, higher education partners, and legislators/staff attended the event.
TEACH offers early learning professionals a debt-free college education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages. In addition to significant financial support, TEACH provides each participant a counselor to help them navigate challenges in their personal life, career or at school and achieve their goals.
Funding for TEACH comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
Luisa Olivo-Wolf, Director of the Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development for OCDEL recognized the incredible journey of TEACH scholars. “Graduates, you got here through determination, grit, and passion,” said, “Many of you balanced work, family, life, school—you showed up for families, children and for each other, but most importantly for yourselves, even when it was hard. And standing beside you was the TEACH program, which helped light your way forward. OCDEL supports this work because your education matters and your work matters. You are shaping futures one moment, one lesson, one child at a time.”
“This degree has deepened my understanding of what children—and their families—need. It’s not just about teaching ABCs and 123s,” described Tashina Pearson-Wilson, TEACH Scholar and Home-Based Child Care Owner. “It’s about being a team with parents, understanding how to help them through trauma, and creating spaces where every child feels wanted, loved, and valued.”
TEACH is a shared investment between scholarship recipients, employers, and TEACH funders. Employers pay a portion of tuition, provide paid release time for classes and coursework, and issue a stipend or raise at the end of each program year. In return, scholars commit to working for their employer at least one year after graduation, creating a more stable workforce. Last year, TEACH supported 910 scholars who earned an average of 13-15 credits and increased their wages by 14%; 95% remained with their employers.
“After the challenges child care programs faced in recent years, today is a powerful testament to the resilience of our field,” said Diane Barber, Executive Director of PACCA. “It reflects the unwavering support of our TEACH sponsor organizations and the deep commitment of our early childhood educators—not just to the children and families they serve, but to the vitality of our entire community. Child care is more than an essential service—it’s the workforce behind the workforce, making it possible for businesses in every industry to thrive.”
Jessica Kinzey, Director of Grandma’s House Child Care in Westmoreland County and recent TEACH graduate with a master’s degree in teaching, said: “High-quality early education hinges on well-prepared teachers, but many can’t afford degrees. Thanks to TEACH, my master’s was fully paid for—something I can’t say for my bachelor’s, which I am still working to pay off. TEACH ensures children get the care they deserve, and teachers get the education they need without drowning in debt. To our state leaders: TEACH must continue!”
“Balancing school, work, and family hasn’t been easy. I’m a husband and a father of two. Time management was crucial, and the support from the TEACH program—my counselor and my amazing classmates—kept me going,” described Jack Barrish, TEACH Scholar & Preschool Teacher, Right at School. “There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but looking back, I’m so proud of what we’ve all accomplished.”
“As someone who is hearing-impaired and has a learning delay, I didn’t believe I was college material, but TEACH changed that,” said Keith Thompson, a teacher from A Child’s World Developmental Center in Bucks County and recent TEACH graduate with an associate degree in early learning. “With the support of my amazing counselor, I realized I could do it. This program is life-changing, not only for TEACH scholars but for the children they care for and educate and the families their programs serve.”
Graduate speakers emphasized that the undervaluing and under funding of child care will continue with great risk to both families’ and communities’ economic future, unless there are systemic solutions. Policymakers and other leaders must prioritize the stabilization of the early childhood workforce through pathways such as increased compensation and elevating the value of the profession.
Download the event program HERE:
View the June 11, 2025 event recording HERE:
TEACH Scholarships Now Available at Alvernia University!
Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) has established a new partnership with Alvernia University to offer TEACH bachelor’s degree scholarships. Alvernia offers a fully online, accelerated, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree program with PK-4 Teacher Certification.
Alvernia University Accelerated Bachelor's Early Childhood Education PK-4 Program
Early Childhood Education with Grades PK-4 (Online) | Alvernia University
- Fully online, with observation & student teaching completed local to the student
- Mindfully designed with flexibility for working adults
- Generous transfer credit policy, plus a streamlined associate to bachelor’s degree pathway program
- Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
- PACCA/TEACH Scholarship approved institution
Join us for a virtual information session on Thursday, March 13th from 6:30-7:30 PM to learn more about Alvernia’s bachelor’s degree program as well as the TEACH Scholarship. Representatives from both Alvernia University and TEACH will be available to answer your questions and help you plan for next steps to enroll.
Please register in advance for the information session HERE. After registering you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the session.