BRATTLEBORO — A Brattleboro Rotary Club Gateway Foundation scholarship awarded to a Community College of Vermont (CCV) student each year aims to address the shortage of child-care workers in Windham County. Rheanna Pare received this year's $2,500 Jesse M. Corum IV Scholarship.
In a news release, CCV promoters say it is deeply embedded in Vermont's early childhood education system, providing the educational foundation for students pursuing careers in the field through its child care certificate and early childhood education associate degree. The college is also home to Northern Lights at CCV, the hub of the professional development system for Vermont's early childhood and after school workforce.
Leigh Marthe, coordinator of student advising at CCV-Brattleboro, acknowledged the importance of supporting early childhood educators in addressing Vermont's child-care shortage. "If we hope to build the fabric of our Vermont culture, our businesses and economy, our community-focused infrastructures, and our future citizens and workforce, our leaders must invest in real solutions to building livable wages and compensation for professionals doing sacred work with children and their families."
"I've always enjoyed being around kids," says Pare, a Montessori teacher who has been working in the child-care field for five years. Pare is pursuing an associate degree in early childhood education and says the scholarship provides much-needed support as she continues her education.
The Brattleboro Rotary Club Gateway Foundation established the Jesse Corum Scholarship in September 2014 to honor late Brattleboro Rotarian Jesse M. Corum IV, who was active in the Rotary Club for 27 years.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.