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“It all just fell into place,” said Union County teacher and director Erin Drye about her start in early childhood. “I had my first child in 2015 and I needed child care for him. The program that I took him to needed a teacher and I decided to give it a try. I worked with children with special needs prior to that, but this became available, and I found my career path.”
She had already started working on a degree and was determined to finish, and she began adding coursework that would amplify her early childhood skills and experience. Erin said, “I started getting my degree when I was working with children with special needs. I paused for a bit to have my first child and then I continued not knowing for sure what my future would hold. After I got into child care, I decided to finish my coursework. I also pursued early childhood classes so I can be better in my field. There is always something to learn, there is always room for improvement. I took administrative courses as well because I knew I was interested in being a director.”
Getting her diploma was challenging because it was hard to find the time. “Child care really is a demanding job, and parents rely on you so they can work,” Erin said. “It doesn’t give you a lot of time for school, especially when you have a family. It’s hard to find the balance. I just kept doing it because I wanted that diploma. I knew I could do it, it would just be a sacrifice for a period of time, but it’s worth it. Education gives you a different perspective. Everyone has their way of thinking, but when you talk about it with others in the class, it opens your eyes to new and different strategies. Sometimes you need to think outside of the box.”
“WAGE$ is a really good incentive to keep pursuing education, to better myself as a teacher,” she continued. “The more education you complete, the more money you get. The money is beneficial to me and then the education is beneficial to the center and to the children. I don’t think parents or people in general always see child care providers as professionals and if I can say I have a bachelor’s degree then it makes me feel more professional and the parents can see that. They will realize I do know what I’m doing and I’m not just here to wipe noses. I want to be taken seriously. This is my career. Child care is an important part of growing up. We are setting the stage for their success in school.”
Erin encourages her staff to pursue education as well and to take advantage of the benefits that come along with it. “I like that the WAGE$ staff actively push us to do this for ourselves, to go get that education so we really can benefit from these funds. Our WAGE$ specialist has really encouraged me to have staff participate and benefit, and the teachers really look forward to the pay. It’s basically free money. You are working for it, and you have earned it, but you are bettering yourself in your field and essentially getting paid for that every six months.”
“We are very appreciative of this benefit,” Erin said. “The staff who are part of it have all been excited and want to stay on. It’s been encouraging. I hope the funding can continue and that all eligible teachers can participate.”
As the Union County Smart Start funder for the WAGE$ supplements, Alliance for Children is proud that they can support educators like Erin. The Executive Director of the Alliance for Children, Trinisha Dean, said, “I will continue to be a champion of WAGE$ to help move the needle toward attracting and retaining the true educators – early childhood teachers! As a former recipient of TEACH and WAGE$, I know firsthand the difference it makes to receive a salary stipend during a time when it’s needed the most. It doesn’t just provide the recognition of ‘I see the hard work you’re doing day after day,’ but WAGE$ support showed me that I matter, and it said, ‘I want to see you grow and remain in the early childhood field.’ In other words, they put their money where their mouth was.”
