Do Something

Do you want to see more money for ECE teachers?

Find out who your state representatives are and reach out. State legislators are currently negotiating Governor Shapiro’s budget, so let them know you want to see that additional $284 million for early childhood educator recruitment and retainment.

Connect WITH OUR SOCIAL ACTION TEAM



Join Us at Our Next Event

The 2024 Rad Girl Awards

The deadline is fast approaching! You have until Wednesday, June 19 to Nominate someone in 17 categories here, and then join us for a party at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar on July 17 from 7 to 10pm.

 

Get Involved

Engaged citizens strengthen democracy

One of the founding tenets of The Philadelphia Citizen is to get people the resources they need to become better, more engaged citizens of their city.

We hope to do that in our Good Citizenship Toolkit, which includes a host of ways to get involved in Philadelphia — whether you want to contact your City Councilmember investing in early childhood education for Philly’s children, get those experiencing homelessness the goods they need, or simply go out to dinner somewhere where you know your money is going toward a greater good.

Find an issue that’s important to you in the list below, and get started on your journey of A-plus citizenship.

Vote and strengthen democracy

Stand up for marginalized communities

Create a cleaner, greener Philadelphia

Help our local youth and schools succeed

Support local businesses

Guest Commentary The Pay Paradox of Early Childhood Educators

A policy advisor and former pre-K teacher calls for more investment in our children’s first educators — a proven investment that pays off for all of us.

Guest Commentary The Pay Paradox of Early Childhood Educators

A policy advisor and former pre-K teacher calls for more investment in our children’s first educators — a proven investment that pays off for all of us.

My son started pre-K last September. I had left the workforce after he was born and then went through the same hand-wringing period that parents of young children all too often go through. His early daycare was a hodgepodge of centers as I took preschool teaching jobs that came with a discount that reduced our family’s childcare costs. Even so, our financial situation was tenuous and unsustainable to build for future savings.

When we found what would eventually become his preschool, it felt a little like winning the Parenting Triple Crown: The center was close to home, affordable and offered the social, emotional and academic programming we wanted. My son did not handle the transition as well as his parents. He was clingy, sad and would cry as we rounded the corner and the school came into view. Drop-offs dragged on as he asked for one more hug. Our perfect pre-K felt more dire by the week, but one aspect finally turned the tide: his teacher.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a high quality teacher can accelerate learning and skill development in the preschool environment, which is certainly true in our case. My son’s teacher, Ms. Yullissa, created an inclusive, child-centered classroom, providing structure and security — essential elements for him to feel safe and thrive. A morning routine was developed; she helped him foster friendships. Soon he looked forward to school. Most mornings now he runs into the classroom and often forgets to say goodbye due to the teacher’s level of care and expertise. She did this not just for my child, but the 19 others in class with him.

Despite all the hard work that goes into early childhood education (ECE) and the clear positive effect on children and our economy (every dollar invested in early education sees a return of $4 to $9), the average ECE teacher like Ms. Yullissa makes only $12.43 an hour, leaving nearly one in five of them living in poverty. Early childhood educators cannot pour from an empty cup; they deserve a family-thriving wage as they care for Pennsylvania’s youngest learners.

Governor Shapiro’s 2024-2025 budget proposed $30 million in new state funding for pre-K, which is a strong start. However, the diverse ECE advocacy groups across the Commonwealth that have come together to create Early Learning PA suggest an investment of $284 million in state funding is necessary for recruitment and retention programs to alleviate the staffing crisis facing early learning centers across PA. An estimated 7,817 teachers are needed to serve eligible children ages 3 and 4. This money would be directed to centers already in subsidy agreements with the state and would be restricted to initiatives like monthly wage increases, hiring bonuses, benefit packages and retention bonuses. This grant funding will help to legitimize the early childhood education field, stabilize the workforce and incentivize teachers to join the field who otherwise may not have seen it as economically viable.

High-quality educators make all the difference in early childhood programs — it’s more than just play; they lay the groundwork for lifelong success socially, emotionally and academically. PA voters agree, as 98 percent say early childhood education is important and 78 percent believe state funding should be invested to increase early childhood educator pay.

In my son’s classroom, I’ve watched as Ms. Yullissa quietly redirected behavior and connected with tired, uneasy children, effortlessly transitioning them to the classroom at drop-off. She consistently helps children resolve conflicts and empowers them to take on classroom responsibility. I also know all the invisible work she does in addition to running her classroom: cleaning the room, serving meals, bandaging boo boos, documenting development, taking out the trash, connecting with families, completing required professional development, mentoring novice teachers, documenting children’s developmental growth and being the emotional backstop for young learners as they develop, explore and grow.

It’s time to make our voices heard so teachers like Ms. Yullissa, and thousands more across Pennsylvania, stay in the field. State legislators are currently negotiating Governor Shapiro’s budget, so contact your legislator and let them know you support and insist on the budget, including the additional $284 million for early childhood educator recruitment and retainment. We must take care of early childhood educators, while they expertly care for our youngest learners.


Lyssa Horvath is a former pre-K and Head Start teacher in Philadelphia. She is a 2023-2024 Teach Plus Pennsylvania Senior Policy Fellow.

The Citizen welcomes guest commentary from community members who represent that it is their own work and their own opinion based on true facts that they know firsthand.

MORE LOVE FOR OUR TEACHERS FROM THE CITIZEN

A pre-K in Atlanta, courtesy of Unsplash.

The Philadelphia Citizen will only publish thoughtful, civil comments. If your post is offensive, not only will we not publish it, we'll laugh at you while hitting delete.

Be a Citizen Editor

Suggest a Story

Advertising Terms

We do not accept political ads, issue advocacy ads, ads containing expletives, ads featuring photos of children without documented right of use, ads paid for by PACs, and other content deemed to be partisan or misaligned with our mission. The Philadelphia Citizen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and all affiliate content will be nonpartisan in nature. Advertisements are approved fully at The Citizen's discretion. Advertisements and sponsorships have different tax-deductible eligibility. For questions or clarification on these conditions, please contact Director of Sales & Philanthropy Kristin Long at [email protected] or call (609)-602-0145.