< return to main Early Educators page

Maria Ozella Framingham, MA

I am so pleased with the Early Childhood Scholarship Program now being offered in the State of Massachusetts. I have been involved in early childhood education for just over 20 years. This is the first time that I have seen an initiative such as this happen statewide to offer financial assistance in its full extent to give early childhood educators. This gives opportunity for working early educators to attend school and not worry about the financial burdens that may follow. My agency gave me moral support as well as tuition reimbursement, to help me reach my academic goal. I know that without the financial backing of our agency, and now the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Grant, I would not have been able to afford it on my own.

As many people know, the field of early childhood education is not high paying in terms of money, but it is a truly rewarding job in the way we use it to help our preschool children and their families. Early childhood education is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

I am currently enrolled in the University of Massachusetts “University Without Walls” bachelor degree program in Early Care and Education. I was able to work full- time and also in my part-time job in catering while attending school, as well as take care of my family. Our classes were set up to meet one Saturday a month and weekly lessons and papers were posted on the computer. We had ample time to submit our assignments. (Yes there were many late nights!!) There were also a lot of discussion postings for us and we were able to share information with other early childhood educators. UMASS also gave credits toward lifelong learning experience through a written portfolio of experiences in early childhood education. I have to give credit to my advisor at UMASS for all her encouragement and guidance through the program. I am one class away from graduating this summer and feeling really proud of myself!

I hope that Early Childhood Education Scholarship Grant continues to grow and allow the many early childhood educators the opportunity to go to college and become better teachers while helping to shape the lives of the preschool children they work with.

Pauline Dravnieks Milford, MA

I am a 38-year-old mother of two. I raised my children as a single mom. I took on meaningless jobs to pay my bills and make ends meet. I was finally lucky enough to get a great job in child care.

I did not have much formal education, as I had to drop out of high school to raise my daughter. My center paid, supported, and encouraged me to get my GED. With a lot of time and effort I finally received it! They again encouraged me to take more classes and enroll in an associate’s degree program at Mass Bay Community College in Early Childhood Education. I knew I could not financially pay for it on my own, and they offered financial assistance through our agency and also helped apply for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Grant. I applied and was accepted in January, 2006.

So with great appreciation I am now attending Mass Bay Community College. I am taking my 4th early childhood course. I am currently EEC Pre-School Teacher qualified and will be applying for my EEC Lead Teacher in the fall.

I now look forward to a whole new career in the rewarding field of early childhood education. I am happy to be sharing my new knowledge with the families I work with. I have gained so much self-esteem through this field, and I can't imagine working anywhere else. I know my degree will not be easy, but I know I will do it!

return to top of page