At Community Progress Council, we created the Teacher Training Program to address the early childhood education workforce crisis.
In the entry level track, Teacher Aides at CPC receive paid time to complete their child development associate credential; paid time in the classroom to gain real-world, hands-on experience and training; and stipends to encourage progress in the program.
Community Progress Council also provides an assigned teacher mentor and additional training opportunities, including “Getting Ahead in the Workplace” and enrollment in CPC’s Self-Sufficiency Program, to address workforce development in an integrated and comprehensive manner.
Now in its third year, we heard from a few Teacher Aides in the program about the impact its having for them and their families.
Corrina shared, “Once you walk out of here with the resources and the knowledge that they give you, like, I’m going to succeed in life. I’m going to do something. My children are going to be protected. My children are going to be safe.”
Community Progress Council’s 2024-2025 Teacher Aide Program is funded in part by Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO). ECHO is an early childhood education initiative in York County led by Community Connections for Children and the York County Economic Alliance, with a goal to increase the number of children — particularly low-income children — who are served in high-quality early childhood education programs.