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Nebraska AEYC is proud to partner with the University of Nebraska (NU), and institutions of higher education (IHEs) and states/territories/tribal nations, to implement innovative programs to prepare early childhood educators, break down systemic barriers to education for people of color, and increase financial assistance and compensation for students studying to be early educators.
Along with its project partners, NU is working to transform Nebraska’s higher education system through a statewide strategic initiative to develop a Responsive Equitable System for Preparing Early Childhood Teachers (RESPECT). The RESPECT project is designed to catalyze systemic change and fundamentally shift the culture of early childhood educator preparation in Nebraska to be more equitable and inclusive. |
In conjunction with support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, funding from The Collaborative will support systems change in early childhood education in Nebraska through three core innovations:
Through this work, Nebraska AEYC is focused on supporting potential early childhood educators with TEACH Early Childhood® scholarships, identifying student needs and supports, and supporting the creation of an early childhood apprenticeship model.
- Building a competency-based framework that defines common expectations for educator preparation, credentialing, and licensing across all early childhood settings;
- Developing accessible pathways and support mechanisms to ensure all members of Nebraska’s early childhood workforce have equitable opportunities to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching certification; and
- Collaborating with local communities to ensure the competency-based curriculum and accessible pathways are implemented in ways that are contextually grounded and culturally relevant.
Through this work, Nebraska AEYC is focused on supporting potential early childhood educators with TEACH Early Childhood® scholarships, identifying student needs and supports, and supporting the creation of an early childhood apprenticeship model.
Helpful Links
Program funded by the Early Educator Investment Collaborative and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund
Strengthening and Supporting Nebraska's Early Childhood Community since 1976.
