Dear Editor:

As an early childhood education major, I read the article “Show Me the Money,” by Laura Teegarden, which highlighted a concern I have had since starting at SIUC. Early childhood education majors will face an obstacle after receiving their bachelor’s degree: They will have to decide whether or not they can afford to use it.

As a full-time student, I waitress 15 hours three nights a week and estimate that I make $15 an hour. Based on a study for the Illinois Department of Human Services, I would have to work 27 hours as an assistant child care teacher to make the same amount of money. I make more money in less time serving people dinner than working in a child care setting.

Advertisement

Researcher Phillip C. Garnier, Ph.D., found that the median hourly wage for early childhood teachers is $10.00 and for assistants is $8.24. If importance in a field is shown by the person’s pay, America does not consider quality early childhood education a priority. To keep trained professionals with a passion for helping children in childcare settings, we have to consider the message they receive when they open their paychecks.

So, will I get to choose between my passion and my necessity to have an above poverty-level income? Early childhood, as a field, needs recognition, not just from the government but from American society as a whole. It is time to re-evaluate our priorities.

Early childhood degree holders turn to other sources of income or away from their original career choice because of low wages. These high turnover rates, “32 percent for early childhood teachers and 53 percent of assistants,” leave children constantly adapting to new faces. We cannot expect quality environments if we do not employ people that have the necessary knowledge. It is no surprise that we are getting what we pay for.

Abby Howe senior from O’Fallon studying early childhood education