Stefanie Gonzales

ECE 232

Fall 2017

ECE Specialist Interview

Interview: John Cregg, Executive director of T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood

Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) was developed by the Child Care

Services Association in 1990.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada addresses specific issues within our workforce, including

under-education, poor compensation and high turnover within the early childhood field. This

scholarship program delivers a unique resolution to these issues by providing an opportunity

for assistance with higher education, access to increased compensation for early childhood

professionals, and incorporating the element of commitment in an effort to reduce the

turnover rate in Nevadas early learning programs.

The goals of the T.E.A.C.H. program are to:

1. Increase the compensation of early childcare professionals

2. Provide educational scholarships for professionals working in licensed child care center

or home care to complete Early Childhood Education degrees or certificates

3. Reduce staff turnover rates for participating early learning programs

4. Increase the knowledge of early childhood professionals working with young children
 5. Assist early childhood educators in receiving the recognition they deserve

1. Please tell me a little about TEACH in your own words.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada is a comprehensive scholarship program assisting early

childhood professionals earn early childhood credentials and degrees.

2. How did you enter the Early Childhood Field?

I began college pursuing an accounting degree. Due to circumstances that occurred in my life, I

decided to switch my focus. A close friend stated that I was happy during the summer break

and I stated I was caring for my aunt's nephew. My friend stated that I was good with children

and I could become a social worker. I decided to enroll in two human development courses,

which I liked. At which time, I met with an adviser and she informed me of careers in child

development.

3. What is your training/background/education?

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Human Family Resources, with an emphases in Child Development

and Child Life.

4. Did you have to have special training for your job?

All of the positions that I have held required a Bachelor's Degree in Child Development. In each

opportunity, I have gained additional skills; such as database management, fiscal

responsibilities, editing, project management, hiring personnel, etc.

5. Describe a typical day in your job.

The typically part of my day is responding to emails and meeting with staff. The remaining part

of my day varies from reviewing budgets, managing scholarships for approximately 115

recipients, responding to questions from child care programs, responding to requests from

funders, responding to requests from the Nevada Association for the Education of Young

Children Board of Directors, participating in ECE committee meetings. etc.

6. What is your favorite part of your job? Your least liked part?

My favorite part of my job is working with early childhood professional pursuing their dreams

of obtaining an ECE degree. My least favorite part of my job is not assisting everyone that call

inquiring about the available scholarships.

7. How do you see your job fitting into the Early Childhood world?

As the T.E.A.C.H. Program Director, I'm providing college scholarships to early childhood

professionals to gain knowledge to use with the children and families in their care. As the

NevAEYC Executive Director, I'm a member of a national early childhood community, advocate

for children and families, and provide early childhood resources to professionals.

8. Share your philosophy of Early Childhood and/or your particular position/agency.

My personal philosophy is providing all children with positive, high quality experiences in order

for all children to begin school ready to succeed throughout life.

9. What are your goals in Early Childhood? My goals are to improve the knowledge of the

early childhood workforce and for all families to have access to high quality care for their

children.

10. What led you to this particular field in Early Childhood? When I worked in Arizona, I

attended a meeting to determine if my employer met the requirements to become the

administrative home for T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Arizona. Years later, I had the opportunity

to become the Director for T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Arizona; which I held for three years. In

2016, the funding for T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Arizona ended and the T.E.A.C.H. Early

Childhood National Office recommended me for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada Program

Director position; which I accepted and moved to Reno, Nevada.