At 41, Stacy Lamoreux didn’t think she’d ever get her teaching degree, even though she wanted to be a teacher since second grade. For seven years, she operated a daycare, but the long hours and stress were wearing on her.
And then she heard about the new early childhood education online workforce program that would allow her to earn her bachelor’s degree online.
“I knew it was my time to jump all in and return back to college to pursue my dreams,” she said. “I could obtain my bachelor’s in early childhood education from home, all while raising my family and working.”
Lamoreux was one of 58 students who graduated in Illinois State University’s first cohort in May. The program has been a tremendous success, said Dr. Linda Ruhe Marsh, Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) director. Child care professionals with an associate’s degree can earn their bachelor’s in two years, allowing them to become teachers in pre-K through second grade.
“This cohort was full of extremely hard working and passionate educators,” she said. “Each had their own unique story that brought them to this point in their lives. Our students brought a wealth of knowledge to the program as most have been in the field of early childhood education for years.”
What surprised her most was the strong sense of community students created, even though they were scattered across the state.
“Even though this program is almost 100% online, they supported each other as if they were face to face,” Marsh said. “In the last two years, this group has experienced so much together: engagements, marriages, several babies born, their own kids going off to college, caring for aging parents, new jobs, loss of jobs, and unfortunately some unbearable family tragedies.
“To see the way they supported each other was absolutely incredible. While we gave them the space and encouragement to connect, they took it to the next level. I think this is one of the main contributing factors of the success of this program.”
Lamoreux said she appreciated the support from the cohort and faculty.
“The ECACE program helped me accomplish my dreams,” she said. “The support was amazing. Even though I was learning from 2.5 hours away, I had all the tools I needed to do my best. The staff was amazing and so were my classmates. ISU gave us a ton of information and help preparing for the big content test.”
Classes met online once a week in the evening. The program allows professionals working in settings with children from birth through 5 years old to obtain a bachelor’s degree and Professional Educator License in early childhood (birth-second grade). Students may be fully funded as part of Illinois’ ECACE.
The program also includes the Early Childhood Special Education Letter of Approval, and the option for early childhood education-English as a second language endorsement.
Second grade teacher Beth Wilkinson at Eastland Elementary in Shannon volunteered to host an ECACE student teacher and mentored Lamoreaux.
“She is full of positive energy and can completely engage students in the lesson,” Wilkinson said. “Stacy took the time to connect with the students which absolutely helped with her discipline because they respected her and felt respected by her. She always asked for feedback in order to improve. Her positive energy made the day go quickly and happily for all of us. This program has been a blessing, not only for Stacy to finish her education, but also for all the children that will become her future students.”
Lamoreux said she appreciated having a cooperating teacher who was flexible, patient, a good communicator, and taught her what goes on behind the scenes. She also felt supported by her students.
“I will never forget them. They were encouraging me and wanted me to get an A after each video I recorded,” she said. “They gave me their best and were invested in how I did in school. We connected quickly and truly enjoyed each other’s company. I miss them already.”
She’s been hired to teach kindergarten this fall.
“I’ll be teaching at my kids’ elementary school, and I can’t wait,” she said. “I can’t say enough about this program. I could obtain my B.A. from home, work at my own pace during the week on schoolwork, still substitute teach, and manage my family.
“I was especially nervous for the content test, but ISU offered so many classes, videos, and information that I could pass on the first time. I am so proud to finally have my bachelor’s, teach my dream job next school year, and I’m especially proud to have achieved it through ISU!”
The online program offers a lot of flexibility, said Nicole Offutt, ECACE placement coordinator. Forty-three students pursued their degree and licensure, and 15 pursued their degree, but not licensure.
Of the 43 students, 10 followed the traditional 16-week student teaching model in a K-2 classroom; eight spent eight weeks at their pre-K place of employment followed by eight weeks in a K-2 classroom; and 25 spent three days a week at their pre-K place of employment and the other two days in a K-2 classroom for 16 weeks.
“I have seen several individuals enroll in our program who currently work with students from our first cohort,” Offutt said. “Word is spreading fast about our program through students’ workplaces.”
Applications for the fall cohort will be accepted through July 19. For more information, visit the ECE online workforce program website.
