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Student Loan Forgiveness - Close the Loophole for Early Educators
Target: Congressional LeadersSponsored by: First Class Teachers
Help retain quality teachers by funding student loan forgiveness programs for early childhood educators,the keystones of high-quality early care and education. Loan forgiveness funding already exists for K-12 teachers -- but not for preschool teachers.
Did you know that children who go to preschool are 29% more likely to graduate from high school? Yet, the typical early childhood educator receives a lower wage than the typical parking lot attendant.
Low pay forces one-third of all early care and education workers out of their jobs every year. At the same time, society receives seven dollars back for every one dollar we spend on early care programs through increased earning potential, decreased juvenile crime, and improved scholastic achievement.
We can help retain quality teachers by funding student loan forgiveness programs for early childhood educators, the keystones of high-quality early care and education.
Please take action today! Congressional representatives are considering a federal budget that leaves early childhood educators out in the cold and they need to hear from you.
Did you know that children who go to preschool are 29% more likely to graduate from high school? Yet, the typical early childhood educator receives a lower wage than the typical parking lot attendant.
Low pay forces one-third of all early care and education workers out of their jobs every year. At the same time, society receives seven dollars back for every one dollar we spend on early care programs through increased earning potential, decreased juvenile crime, and improved scholastic achievement.
We can help retain quality teachers by funding student loan forgiveness programs for early childhood educators, the keystones of high-quality early care and education.
Please take action today! Congressional representatives are considering a federal budget that leaves early childhood educators out in the cold and they need to hear from you.
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Student Loan Forgiveness - Close the Loophole for Early Educators” petition!
# 5,817:
3:42 pm PDT, Apr 22,
Tiffany Norton, California
# 5,816:
8:37 am PDT, Apr 21,
Reem Gomez, New Jersey
# 5,815:
7:42 am PDT, Apr 18,
Jennifer Varga, Vermont
We need support because the wages of early ed teachers like myself can't afford basic insurance let alone to repay student loans. Currently I earn $10.71/hr in Manchester, VT with an AA degree and 14 years teaching experience. I receive $234 in food stamps and go to the food shelf on tuesdays just so I can strech my insufficient wages. However, I am expected to identify children who may have challanges or learning difficulties before they get to kindergarten.
We need support because the wages of early ed teachers like myself can't afford basic insurance let alone to repay student loans. Currently I earn $10.71/hr in Manchester, VT with an AA degree and 14 years teaching experience. I receive $234 in food stamps and go to the food shelf on tuesdays just so I can strech my insufficient wages. However, I am expected to identify children who may have challanges or learning difficulties before they get to kindergarten.
# 5,814:
7:35 pm PDT, Apr 17,
Elaine Steele, New York
i am a preschool teacher making about 25000 dollars a year that is not enough after i pay my bills and pay back student loans please help me get out of this loan debt that i am in
i am a preschool teacher making about 25000 dollars a year that is not enough after i pay my bills and pay back student loans please help me get out of this loan debt that i am in
# 5,813:
11:00 pm PDT, Apr 16,
Amber Willhoite, New Mexico
# 5,812:
4:28 pm PDT, Apr 16,
Shemeka Jones, Georgia
# 5,811:
8:12 pm PDT, Apr 5,
Lisa Buttrum, Tennessee
# 5,810:
7:59 pm PDT, Apr 5,
Name not displayed, Maine
# 5,809:
3:45 am PDT, Apr 3,
Can Atik, Turkey
# 5,808:
4:20 pm PDT, Apr 1,
LaDawn McNeill, New York
What is the difference between a College educated Early Childhood Teacher and a College Educated Elementary teacher ?? Aside from the age groups...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. We still have to do 4 years of undergrad. We have to hand in term papers, listen to lectures and take final exams. Since we are excluded from the loan forgiveness programs. The colleges and universities who accept our LOAN MONEY, GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CASH, AND OTHER FINANCIAL AIDE, should consider lowering the costs of tuition for Early Childhood / Child Development majors. I am seriously considering switching careers.
What is the difference between a College educated Early Childhood Teacher and a College Educated Elementary teacher ?? Aside from the age groups...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. We still have to do 4 years of undergrad. We have to hand in term papers, listen to lectures and take final exams. Since we are excluded from the loan forgiveness programs. The colleges and universities who accept our LOAN MONEY, GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, CASH, AND OTHER FINANCIAL AIDE, should consider lowering the costs of tuition for Early Childhood / Child Development majors. I am seriously considering switching careers.
# 5,807:
9:10 pm PDT, Mar 30,
Amber Kelsey, Texas
# 5,806:
3:55 pm PDT, Mar 30,
Silky Wyld, Wisconsin
# 5,805:
4:23 pm PDT, Mar 29,
Anne Seidel, Germany
# 5,804:
1:21 am PDT, Mar 22,
Art Deco, Maine
# 5,803:
7:18 pm PDT, Mar 21,
JOCELYNE ANNIE, Canada
# 5,802:
10:33 am PDT, Mar 20,
Name not displayed, Texas
College graduated educators, whether they are early childhood teachers or high school teachers should recieve more pay than a parking lot attendant! That is outrageous and we need to support them for taking care of our kids.
College graduated educators, whether they are early childhood teachers or high school teachers should recieve more pay than a parking lot attendant! That is outrageous and we need to support them for taking care of our kids.
# 5,801:
9:02 pm PDT, Mar 18,
Suzie Gordon, New Hampshire
# 5,800:
11:27 am PDT, Mar 17,
Ginger Geronimo, Alabama
# 5,799:
12:18 pm PDT, Mar 15,
BiLL Fowlie, Maine
# 5,798:
9:18 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Shannon Sultan, Wisconsin
# 5,797:
5:24 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, New York
# 5,796:
4:14 pm PDT, Mar 14,
Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 5,795:
1:19 pm PDT, Mar 12,
Name not displayed, Maine
Salary alone can not pay back the thousands of dollars teachers owe for student loans. My loans total over $50,000. I was working as a pre-school teacher in an enviornment that I loved. I was forced to leave because I couldn't afford my student loan payments. I am now in a public school, teaching Kindergarten and still struggling to get these loans paid off. More funds should be available for highly qualified teachers.
Salary alone can not pay back the thousands of dollars teachers owe for student loans. My loans total over $50,000. I was working as a pre-school teacher in an enviornment that I loved. I was forced to leave because I couldn't afford my student loan payments. I am now in a public school, teaching Kindergarten and still struggling to get these loans paid off. More funds should be available for highly qualified teachers.
# 5,794:
6:14 pm PDT, Mar 9,
Diane B, California
I was unable to qualify for financial aid that would make it so I wouldn't have to pay so much in loans, even though I was working part time, attending school full time and yet some how making ends meet. Now, $55,000 later, I am suffering with variable interest rates. I need a little help getting these loans down!
I was unable to qualify for financial aid that would make it so I wouldn't have to pay so much in loans, even though I was working part time, attending school full time and yet some how making ends meet. Now, $55,000 later, I am suffering with variable interest rates. I need a little help getting these loans down!
# 5,793:
11:55 am PST, Mar 5,
Carol L. Robinson, New York
Education begins at infancy. Quality care and early learning is the foundation of all future learning. The field especialy infant and toddler programs are stuggling with high staff turnover due to low salries. Early childhood educators are required to have the same eduction as elementary school however there salaries are lower.Salaries do not compensate of the high cost of education.
Education begins at infancy. Quality care and early learning is the foundation of all future learning. The field especialy infant and toddler programs are stuggling with high staff turnover due to low salries. Early childhood educators are required to have the same eduction as elementary school however there salaries are lower.Salaries do not compensate of the high cost of education.
# 5,792:
8:40 am PST, Mar 5,
Name not displayed, New Mexico
Educators are not making the big money when they start working.
Educators are not making the big money when they start working.
# 5,791:
11:39 am PST, Mar 4,
Kelly Donahue, Connecticut
Its discouraging that in May I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education and I have to go home to work as a waitress to find the money to pay back my loans. I didn’t go to college for four years to become a waitress. I want to teacher and I want to able to put all of my time and effort into teaching but I wont be able to if I will be working two jobs to survive.
Its discouraging that in May I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education and I have to go home to work as a waitress to find the money to pay back my loans. I didn’t go to college for four years to become a waitress. I want to teacher and I want to able to put all of my time and effort into teaching but I wont be able to if I will be working two jobs to survive.
# 5,790:
9:21 am PST, Mar 4,
Name not displayed, Connecticut
We entrust our dearest and most valuable posessions, our young children, to these teachers, yet we afix virtually no value to the work the teachers are trained to do. It is shameful that America pays the least to teachers who teach and care for those who need the most.
We entrust our dearest and most valuable posessions, our young children, to these teachers, yet we afix virtually no value to the work the teachers are trained to do. It is shameful that America pays the least to teachers who teach and care for those who need the most.
# 5,789:
3:20 pm PST, Mar 3,
Karen Dorgan, Ohio
# 5,788:
10:50 am PST, Feb 27,
Shacondra Primm, Florida
Early Educators need to support to continue to be motivated to earn degrees and gain more knowledge by continuing to complete trainings and attend workshops and continue on with their education. We are so under paid, many early educators are stilling earning minimum wages while having to teach and work long hours, especially in the VPK program the program is so structure and full of demands. Early Educators need HELP! We are always overlooked and looked down on as if we do nothing we children. But, remember we are the first ones to teach many of our future teachers, scientist, judges, executives, lawyers and Presidents.
Early Educators need to support to continue to be motivated to earn degrees and gain more knowledge by continuing to complete trainings and attend workshops and continue on with their education. We are so under paid, many early educators are stilling earning minimum wages while having to teach and work long hours, especially in the VPK program the program is so structure and full of demands. Early Educators need HELP! We are always overlooked and looked down on as if we do nothing we children. But, remember we are the first ones to teach many of our future teachers, scientist, judges, executives, lawyers and Presidents.
# 5,787:
5:36 pm PST, Feb 19,
Heather Barss, New Hampshire
# 5,786:
10:10 am PST, Feb 19,
Ann Bradley, Maryland
# 5,785:
2:01 pm PST, Feb 18,
Gwendolyn Howard, Pennsylvania
many times early educators are underpaid and work in low income areas, yet their loans are outstanding, making it difficult for teachers and administrators in the field to pay back their loans and meet their personal and living responsabilities. Most times, after paying for the cost of living, I don't even have car fair or lunch money, but I stay in the feild because it is my passion and career goal
many times early educators are underpaid and work in low income areas, yet their loans are outstanding, making it difficult for teachers and administrators in the field to pay back their loans and meet their personal and living responsabilities. Most times, after paying for the cost of living, I don't even have car fair or lunch money, but I stay in the feild because it is my passion and career goal
# 5,784:
5:51 pm PST, Feb 17,
Laura Zanoli, Italy
# 5,783:
9:33 am PST, Feb 14,
Kiku Nitta, California
# 5,782:
6:03 am PST, Feb 9,
Carol Neary, Indiana
# 5,781:
10:06 pm PST, Jan 31,
Name not displayed, Washington
# 5,780:
2:23 am PST, Jan 28,
Name not displayed, California
# 5,779:
12:42 pm PST, Jan 26,
Jennifer Stanley, Missouri
# 5,778:
2:41 am PST, Jan 23,
Victoria Mary Stong / Community Activist, New York
Because there work takes up a lot of energy to keep up with young children and educate them regularly.
Because there work takes up a lot of energy to keep up with young children and educate them regularly.
# 5,777:
8:13 am PST, Jan 21,
Name not displayed, California
# 5,776:
5:55 am PST, Jan 19,
Name not displayed, California
I work as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. I have the same amount of Education as Elementary School Teacher/Special Education Teacher and yet my loans do not qualify for reimbursement. How fair is this? I work at a low income elementary school too.
I work as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. I have the same amount of Education as Elementary School Teacher/Special Education Teacher and yet my loans do not qualify for reimbursement. How fair is this? I work at a low income elementary school too.
# 5,775:
5:33 pm PST, Jan 18,
Shalina Kumar, California
There should be some incentive for person's whom raise our nation's youngest children.
There should be some incentive for person's whom raise our nation's youngest children.
# 5,774:
8:07 pm PST, Jan 15,
Name not displayed, California
# 5,773:
11:51 am PST, Jan 15,
Laura Docterman, New Mexico
We need high quality pre-school teachers and we can't get the income to pay the loans.
We need high quality pre-school teachers and we can't get the income to pay the loans.
# 5,772:
8:06 pm PST, Jan 14,
Name not displayed, California
because they are the lowest paid educators in the field. It is very diificult to pay back these loans with this income. It is getting harder to aquire these educators for what they make.
because they are the lowest paid educators in the field. It is very diificult to pay back these loans with this income. It is getting harder to aquire these educators for what they make.
# 5,771:
11:07 am PST, Jan 10,
Name not displayed, Indiana
The future of our children starts with early education. Quality early childhood experiences start with quality teachers.
The future of our children starts with early education. Quality early childhood experiences start with quality teachers.
# 5,770:
9:08 pm PST, Jan 4,
Mary Nicolaou, Illinois
# 5,769:
7:55 pm PST, Dec 23,
Liliana Bustos, Texas
# 5,768:
6:08 pm PST, Dec 13,
Samuel Wright, New Jersey
# 5,767:
7:19 am PST, Dec 12,
Cassie Toner, Washington
# 5,766:
4:47 pm PST, Dec 11,
Tracy Brown, Pennsylvania
Early childhood educations creates a foundation for quality learning and achievement in today's youth. Without qualified teachers in this field, we are denying our children these essential building blocks of education. Due to low wages as a trend for these educators, entering into higher education has become difficult and a financial burden. Please help these teachers and in turn the children of tomorrow. Thank you!
Early childhood educations creates a foundation for quality learning and achievement in today's youth. Without qualified teachers in this field, we are denying our children these essential building blocks of education. Due to low wages as a trend for these educators, entering into higher education has become difficult and a financial burden. Please help these teachers and in turn the children of tomorrow. Thank you!
# 5,765:
6:18 am PST, Dec 10,
Michael Rabasco, Minnesota
# 5,764:
2:56 pm PST, Dec 8,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
# 5,763:
3:31 am PST, Dec 8,
Paula Karwowski, Michigan
I am a certified k-8 teacher working on my master's degree in early childhood education. I owe 44000 in student loans and have not been able to get a stable teaching position since I graduated 7 years ago! I want to teach but I am afraid I have made the wrong career choice. I am getting older and have young children. I can't afford to pay for childcare and work at 9-12 dollars an hour with no benefits. I can't get a job teaching k-8 and I can't afford to work at pre-k level. Yet, I pay $300 a month for student loans!
I am a certified k-8 teacher working on my master's degree in early childhood education. I owe 44000 in student loans and have not been able to get a stable teaching position since I graduated 7 years ago! I want to teach but I am afraid I have made the wrong career choice. I am getting older and have young children. I can't afford to pay for childcare and work at 9-12 dollars an hour with no benefits. I can't get a job teaching k-8 and I can't afford to work at pre-k level. Yet, I pay $300 a month for student loans!
# 5,762:
6:35 pm PST, Dec 7,
Karen Gray, Indiana
# 5,761:
3:27 pm PST, Dec 6,
Jeff Hopkins, Illinois
# 5,759:
2:47 pm PST, Dec 5,
Name not displayed, Alaska
Though our state pays their preschool teachers adequately, it is not enough to live off of and pay off school loans. Educated preschool teachers are a wonderful and much needed thing, the price of living and school make it difficult for both.
Though our state pays their preschool teachers adequately, it is not enough to live off of and pay off school loans. Educated preschool teachers are a wonderful and much needed thing, the price of living and school make it difficult for both.
# 5,758:
7:36 pm PST, Dec 4,
Deborah Perkins, Texas
Texas pays their teachers too little! We need loan forgiveness.
Texas pays their teachers too little! We need loan forgiveness.
# 5,757:
5:15 am PST, Dec 4,
Eric Scionti, Arizona
# 5,756:
2:38 pm PST, Dec 3,
Lenise V. Haney, California
# 5,755:
2:29 pm PST, Dec 3,
Bonnie Jackson, California
# 5,754:
5:09 pm PST, Dec 2,
Name not displayed, Maine
# 5,753:
10:58 am PST, Nov 29,
Kristy Ludwig, Ohio
We need federal support because the only teaching jobs available in Ohio are paying under $23,000. How can you live off of that and pay student loans back. Not to mention we have to go back and get our Master's degree.
We need federal support because the only teaching jobs available in Ohio are paying under $23,000. How can you live off of that and pay student loans back. Not to mention we have to go back and get our Master's degree.
# 5,752:
11:08 am PST, Nov 27,
Maryjane Shearer, Washington
I am going to be graduating this next June and the Early Child Care Forgiveness Program with the Federal Government is now no longer excepting applications for a five year reimbursement program. I don't know what I am going to do when my loan comes due I was counting on that program to help me because I service low income state susidized families who are at risk. This field doesn't pay an apporpriate wage and doesn't current offer teacher/benefit/or retirement program packages.
I am going to be graduating this next June and the Early Child Care Forgiveness Program with the Federal Government is now no longer excepting applications for a five year reimbursement program. I don't know what I am going to do when my loan comes due I was counting on that program to help me because I service low income state susidized families who are at risk. This field doesn't pay an apporpriate wage and doesn't current offer teacher/benefit/or retirement program packages.
# 5,751:
8:43 am PST, Nov 21,
Amber Boyce, Ohio
As a teacher struggling with making it in our country I stongly support this. I understand what it feels like to come out of college and ready to change the world one child at a time but barly being able to survive myself due to college loan debt.
As a teacher struggling with making it in our country I stongly support this. I understand what it feels like to come out of college and ready to change the world one child at a time but barly being able to survive myself due to college loan debt.