Community Engagement
Community input is critical for designing early childhood teacher education programs that are community-based and culturally sustaining. The community engagement workgroup has conducted focus groups across Nebraska, including online sessions targeting rural communities, and in-person sessions in Macy, Santee and Omaha. Focus group questions are centered on understanding community strengths and assets that support young children’s development and education, experiences community members think are important for young children to have a healthy start in life, and what community members think early childhood educators should know and be able to do.
Student Experiences & Supports
The student experiences and supports workgroup focuses on learning about early childhood students’ and professionals’ experiences in higher education and using this information to develop more accessible and effective pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Analysis of the statewide survey (n = 131) is complete, and qualitative analysis of interviews (n=11) is underway. The team will use this information to strengthen supports students need to succeed in completing their degrees and becoming well-prepared early childhood professionals. This group will also use findings from evaluation data collected from the B.A. and Apprenticeship cohorts to improve the quality of pathways and programs.
Apprenticeships
In fall of 2024, the apprenticeship workgroup began recruitment for the first cohort of 10 apprentices. Promotional fliers were distributed widely across the state and webinars were offered to provide more information. Presentations were delivered at local, state and national events to promote the Nebraska apprenticeship program. The TEACH Scholarship application was modified to include additional questions about apprenticeships and distributed widely. A select group of stakeholders helped interview apprentice candidates. A total of 25 applications were received, 21 applicants were interviewed and 10 applicants were selected.
Next, journey workers/mentors were recruited, with 17 journey workers/mentors interviewed and 10 selected. The journey workers/mentors were then paired with their apprentice and introduced virtually. A mentor guidebook was developed to outline roles and responsibilities. Additionally, Letters of Agreement were created for each mentor, detailing the scope of work, data collection responsibilities and invoicing/payment procedures.
The team is preparing apprentices and journey workers/mentors to be successful in their new roles. Apprentices have been meeting with the TEACH counselor, enrolling in the community college of their choice and registering for classes. Orientation sessions were held for apprentices and journey workers/mentors. Apprentices have signed Letters of Agreement and consent forms to participate in program evaluation. Apprentices have started classes and begun meeting with their mentors to build relationships and discuss logistics. Monthly Community of Practice sessions for journey workers/mentors will begin in February. Baseline data will be collected for RESPECT program evaluation.
Assessments
The assessments workgroup is designing a portfolio process that will be used to award credit for prior learning. Students working toward a degree will be able to submit a portfolio documenting their prior learning and experience for some courses. Components of the portfolio process are being piloted this spring and prior learning assessments (PLA) for some classes will be available in fall 2025. Stay tuned for more information about the PLA process and courses available.
Competencies
The competencies workgroup is aligning the competencies with early childhood education coursework at UNO, UNL and UNK. This alignment effort will facilitate credit transfer and design for prior learning assessment processes. A manuscript describing the collaborative process of building the competency framework was led by Dr. Victoria Johnson and submitted to a peer-reviewed higher education journal for review.
Upcoming Workgroup Meetings
Mark your calendars for the following upcoming meetings led by RESPECT workgroups. All times listed below are in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
February
- Student Experiences and Supports: Feb. 10 at 1:00 p.m.
- Community Engagement: Feb. 11 at 2:00 p.m.
- Apprenticeships: Feb. 18 at 10:00 a.m.
- Steering Committee: Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m.
March
- Student Experiences and Supports: March 10 at 1:00 p.m.
- Community Engagement: March 11 at 2:00 p.m.
- Apprenticeships: March 18 at 10:00 a.m.
- Steering Committee: March 27 at 1:00 p.m.
April
- Student Experiences and Supports: April 7 at 1:00 p.m.
- Community Engagement: April 8 at 2:00 p.m.
- Apprenticeships: April 15 at 10:00 a.m.
- Steering Committee: April 24 at 1:00 p.m.
May
- Student Experiences and Supports: May 12 at 1:00 p.m.
- Community Engagement: May 13 at 2:00 p.m.
- Apprenticeships: May 20 at 10:00 a.m.
- Steering Committee: May 29 at 1:00 p.m.
June
- Student Experiences and Supports: June 9 at 1:00 p.m.
- Community Engagement: June 10 at 2:00 p.m.
- Apprenticeships: June 17 at 10:00 a.m.
- Steering Committee: June 26 at 1:00 p.m.
RESPECT Apprentices
We’re thrilled to announce that the RESPECT Apprentices — also known as the Early Childhood Education Apprentices— have officially started their journey! In partnership with Nebraska AYEC, 10 apprentices are enrolled in the program and began working on their associate degrees in early childhood education in January 2025.
Stay tuned for our April newsletter, where we’ll introduce the apprentices and share more about this exciting initiative!
A Heartfelt Thank You
As we step into the 3rd quarter of the project’s third year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, collaborators, community members and the RESPECT team. Your unwavering dedication, support and hard work over the past two years have been instrumental in our success. Together, we have accomplished so much and fostered meaningful relationships that continue to shape our journey. We are excited for the future and all that is to come.
On behalf of the RESPECT team, we wish you a joyful, fulfilling and prosperous new year. We look forward to continued growth, impact and collaboration!
- Visit our website regularly for the latest news and updates on the RESPECT project.
- Access meeting recordings, notes and other resources from the workgroups through the RESPECT Teams channel.
- View the project personnel directory.
Contact
If you have any questions, are interested in joining the project or one of our workgroups, email our project coordinator at respectnebraska@unl.edu.