Ed Thomas, an Early Childhood Education Professional Preparation Pipeline scholarship winner, uses his Ohio State education to teach children in his classroom at Columbus' Fairwood Elementary.
The Early Childhood Education Professional Pipeline program is ramping up to select its third cohort of aspiring early education teachers. The upcoming scholarship deadline for practitioners with an associate’s degree is Jan. 31. The scholarship provides full tuition to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education.
Launched by Ohio State President Michael V. Drake and EHE Dean Cheryl Achterberg in 2016, the five-year program partners with the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College and Action for Children.
The goal is to improve the quality of Columbus’ early childhood educators, and thus impact the development of young children with a goal of preparing them to succeed in school.
Laurie Katz, professor of teaching and learning, leads the Early Childhood Education Professional Pipeline program.
“The program supports students who have limited financial resources and have been working full-time jobs in early children education in addition to fulfilling their family and community obligations,” she said.
A passion for learning
Alice Williams, a pipeline scholarship recipient, teaches at Columbus Urban League Southside Head Start Academy and recently received Action for Children’s first Educator of the Year Award.
Raised in a well-read family of 11, her passion is for children to have what she had — a love of reading and learning. That’s why she continues to love teaching after 46 years.
“I am determined to look beyond what I see on the outside of a child,” she said of her work, “so that I see the potential that lies within.
“My walk, my talk and my actions are the teaching tools that leave the most memorable impact on children’s lives,” she said. “Little eyes are watching me, and those eyes say, ‘I am learning from your whole being.’”
She expects the bachelor’s degree courses to expand her ability to inspire children.
“As teachers, we have to supply children with the tools to push past situations and circumstances. We must take time to prepare ourselves for the journey of imparting knowledge to them.”
