Diana Schaack, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver’s Human Development and Family Relations Department, said there is a real crisis in Colorado and nationally.
“We are driving more and more teachers out of the classroom, into different fields because they can’t afford to stay in the classroom,” said Schaack. Based on her research, she noted that about a third of the (preschool) educators are on public assistance and a quarter have a second job. Forty-five percent report struggling to make ends meet. Depending on the preschool position, the turnover rate can be as high as 44 percent. Schaack said this has detrimental consequences for young kids. The knowledge and skill teachers bring to their work is the key ingredient in providing high quality education and preparing kids for kindergarten and beyond.