This week, May 4-9, is Teacher Appreciation Week and Green County Child Care Network would like to recognize and thank the teachers who care for and educate their students from the day they are enrolled in early care and education all the way through college! As we are learning more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (examples are poverty, abuse, malnutrition, and homelessness) and ameliorating the effects, we are learning that it only takes one caring adult relationship to start repairing the damage.

Currently, early childhood education programs have extremely high turnover (40% per year) and even the K-12 system has seen an exodus of teachers over the last few years. This high rate of turnover is impacting the quality of education.

The lack of respect and nonprofessional treatment of educators at all levels is a significant contributing factor; including the official redaction of the professional designation by the Dept. of Education as of this summer. This, in turn, affects children’s ability to thrive.

In conclusion, this year, I am asking you to reflect on the teachers you, or your children, have had and how they impacted the trajectory of your life and take a few minutes to write or call candidates, share that story, and ask them for their commitment to invest in child care, increase the special education reimbursement to at least 60% sum-sufficient for K-12, and secondary schools so that we have thriving communities for everyone.

— Child Care Matters is a series written by local child care providers. Jillynn Niemeier the owner of Blue Door Daycare and the President of the Green County Child Care Network.