Investing in Educators
ABOUT
Nurturing the Heart of Our Community
EarlyJ understands that the growth and success of our Jewish Early Childhood Education community depends on more than just expanded enrollment. Our commitment to excellence extends to the very individuals who bring our Jewish Early Childhood Education programs to life — our teachers. We recognize that many of these incredibly talented and dedicated educators face financial challenges that hinder their ability to thrive. A recent study by EDSource found that “Preschool teachers and childcare workers earn 38% less than their colleagues in the K-8 system.” This statistic explains why 17% of early childhood educators live in poverty in California. That is almost 7 times the poverty rate for the state’s K-8 teachers. For that reason, we acknowledge our educators as the backbone of our Jewish Early Childhood Education community and prioritize investing in their professional development and compensation.
As part of the investment in our educators, and a move to sustainably increase teacher compensation, we partner with the American Jewish University to spearhead a groundbreaking initiative, the Early Childhood Higher Education Program. We also collaborate with Oranim College in Israel, establishing the Early Childhood Jewish & Israel Cultural Ambassador Program. Moreover, as our newest initiative, we are working with Z3 to create and fully fund the Z3 Early Childhood Education Leadership Lab.
In addition to investments in teachers’ professional development, we also respond to educators’ immediate needs as we are able. For example, during the early years of the pandemic, we provided $500 year-end stipends to educators across the Bay Area.
ECE Higher Education Program
This program supports teachers as they earn their master’s degree in Jewish Early Childhood Education at AJU, covering 90% of tuition costs. Upon successful completion of the program, each teacher will receive a significant compensation increase, funded in partnership between EarlyJ, their preschool, and the school’s host organization. This increase will be sustained over time by their employer.
The first cohort of 10 Jewish Early Childhood Education educators graduated from AJU in the spring of 2023, each with a master’s in Jewish Early Childhood Education. These educators now work at 7 ECE programs across the East Bay. The second cohort of 11 educators from across the Bay Area started their master’s in Jewish Early Childhood Education at AJU in August 2023. This program is facilitated by Zehava Dahan, read more about her here.
We are excited to announce the launch of the third cohort of our Early Childhood Higher Education Program. The program will start in Fall 2025. The application deadline is March 3, 2025. For more details please read our FAQ.
“Going to this program has allowed me to not just feel comfortable with myself professionally, but also push myself in more leadership ways.”
Cohort participant
At Graduation, March 2023
"We are at a transformative moment in the history of Jewish Early Childhood Education in America, and EarlyJ is leading, setting the standard of support, and creating solutions during this historic moment of transformation. The increased professionalization of the entire field of early childhood education, the acknowledgment of its vital importance for building the emotional, intellectual, and Jewish foundations for children, and the recognition of the value of our teachers, is due to the unwavering vision and commitment of EarlyJ and its donors. Moreover, EarlyJ is now the model for how to support Jewish Early Childhood Education and the teachers in other communities throughout our nation. This is already happening in cities and organizations in the United States."
Dr. Bruce Powell
Dean, School for Jewish Education and Leadership, American Jewish University
Early Childhood Jewish & Israel Cultural Ambassador Program
This program offers a 17-day immersive seminar in Israel designed to strengthen Jewish identity, nurture a connection to Israel, and cultivate partnerships among JECE educators from Israel and the Bay Area. Participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Israeli culture while focusing on early childhood education. The program is fully funded by EarlyJ. Graduates will receive a one-time bonus, funded in partnership between EarlyJ and their preschool, 5 academic credits from Oranim College, and the title “Jewish & Israel Cultural Ambassador.” The inaugural cohort of leading educators embarked on this journey in Summer 2024. Read the educators’ testimonials here.
Following the success of our pilot initiative, we are excited to fully fund the second cohort of our Early Childhood Jewish & Israel Cultural Ambassador program! The seminar in Israel will take place in Summer 2025 in collaboration with Oranim College.
Our educators share their personal experiences and reflections on the program.
The 2024 Z3 Early Childhood Education Leadership Lab
This groundbreaking opportunity provides Bay Area preschool Directors with training on how to incorporate Zionism into their educational environments. Fully funded by EarlyJ, the program encompasses a 2-day in-person Z3 Conference and Leadership Lab, pre- and post- Lab virtual meetings, membership to the Z3 Network, and a one-time stipend. The initiative aims to enhance participants’ understanding of the Jewish community’s relationship with Israel and help educators build stronger networks. EarlyJ is thrilled to launch this one-of-a-kind track within the Z3 Project’s internationally renowned Zionist thought leadership, recognizing ECE professionals alongside other community leaders. Registration is open (limited space available); if you’re interested, please email msorek@earlyj.org. To learn more about this program, you can also read our latest newsletter.
