Free Tuition Offered To Attract Early Childhood Education Teachers

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — To address the critical shortage of early learning teachers to work in private child care in Pasco County, Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive, New Port Richey, is offering free tuition for training and certification of early learning teachers.

The free tuition is made possible through a federal Preschool Development Grant of $524,212 awarded to the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties Inc.

“This opportunity addresses a critical need in our community,” said Tonia Shook, director of the Fred K. Marchman Technical College. “The grant benefits our students, as it provides monetary incentives to complete their education, enter the field and advance in their career.

Shook said it also benefits children at an age when high-quality learning experiences are so important.

"We are extremely excited to have this opportunity in the Marchman Technical College Early Childhood Education program," she said.

The county is experiencing a shortage of educated early learning teachers to work in private child care classrooms in Pasco County and other areas of Tampa Bay. Child care centers are struggling to fill positions with teachers who are prepared to provide quality education for the vulnerable population up to age 5. Child care providers often turn away children due to a lack of qualified candidates.

“We have a growing crisis in the early childhood field,” said Dr. Steve Knobl, executive director of the Pasco and Hernando Early Learning Coalition. “Many of our early learning businesses are struggling to find qualified teachers and staff to educate our children. These shortages, coupled with wage and workforce challenges, prompted this exciting collaboration with Pasco County Schools.”

More information is available on the school district webpage.