KC 8/22

Kids Connection August 2022 Edition: Retention in the Early Childhood Workforce

Dione Garritson, MA, ECSE, is the Child Find Coordinator for the Buena Vista area, Circle of Security parent facilitator, and Vice-Chairperson of the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council.

The shortage of teachers in Colorado is no secret. Students enrolling in teaching programs across the state have dropped by over 300 people between the 2018-19 and the 2019- 20 school years. There has also been a decline in the number of teachers engaging in alternative licensure programs. While this data, provided by the Colorado Sun, is speaking to all grade levels. The shortage of professionals in education is just as apparent in early childhood. There are numerous reasons why people may choose to avoid, or leave, early childhood education. There are just as many reasons why they choose to stay.

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