Guest Post From We, the Village (WTV) - Day in the Life: The Impact of ECACE

The We, the Village (WTV) coalition asked early childhood providers who have received the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) scholarship what a day in their lives looked like while continuing their education, and how ECACE has helped make their career goals a reality.

Read the story of Alexis Smith, Early Childhood Educator and ECACE recipient.

What did a typical day look like for you, and how did you manage balancing your responsibilities as an early childhood educator alongside your college coursework? 

I balanced my days by making my appointments, putting them in my telephone, and setting my alarms. I had children sometimes and sometimes I didn't. I set my alarm for half an hour before it was time for my appointments with my tutors during the week. When doing housework, I would set my alarm for the time I felt it would take me to an area or a room. I would also set my alarm for whatever time I was going to study so that I would get my homework done and turn it in on time.

What inspired you to go back to school or pursue your degree in early childhood education? 

What inspired me to go back to school and pursue my bachelor's degree in early childhood education was my grandmother. I came home one night, and my grandmother was sitting at the table, and I asked her what she was doing. She told me she was doing her mail order interior decorating homework. I made a statement about her age, and she told me you never get too old to learn. She had me promise her that I would go back to school and finish my education, no matter how long it took.

How has receiving the ECACE scholarship impacted your educational experience, and what does it mean to you personally? 

Receiving the ECACE scholarship has impacted me by giving me the opportunity to go back to school to earn my bachelor's degree in early childhood education. It also made it possible for me to fulfill my promise that I made to my grandmother. I never thought I would be able to go back to school and obtain my bachelor's, and graduate with honors at my age.

What impact do you hope to make in your community or classroom as a result of earning your degree? 

The impact that I hope to have on children's lives is the importance of going to school to get an education so they can make a good life for themselves. In my community, I have already started. I volunteer in the food pantry when I can and I am a Sunday school teacher working with toddlers to three-year-olds.

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