Washtenaw Community College joins Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative

Washtenaw Community College has partnered with the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative and Northern Michigan University to participate in the MiEarly Apprentice program. It is the only participating community college in the initiative to help address the state’s shortage of educators in the field of early childhood education. The MiEarly Apprentice program offers four no-cost pathways for individuals to earn teacher certifications that would qualify them to work in early childhood education.

According to an article on Washtenaw Community College’s website, Dr. Brandon Tucker, who serves as the college’s Executive Vice President for Instruction, was quoted as saying of the initiative, “Community colleges have a critical role to play in our state. … If we’re going to be effective in our mission we must find ways to be innovative in partnering with other institutions, creating nonprofits like MEWI and those who lead schools and early childhood education centers. MiEarly Apprentice is an opportunity to expand WCC’s presence and impact across the state. If we can lighten the burden, financially and logistically, for future teachers, we are here to meet that charge.”

The four no-cost certification pathways offered through the MiEarly Apprentice program include the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, associate degree completion, bachelor’s degree plus lead teacher certification, and lead teacher certification only. The program is intended to help individuals who are already working to continue working while they also pursue teacher certification. 

Students who are enrolled through the MiEarly Apprentice program at Washtenaw Community College receive free tuition for their CDA and associate degrees as the program offers “Last Dollar In” funding. Currently, 80 students are enrolled in this program at Washtenaw Community College since the program’s soft launch in January 2025. Enrollment is expected to increase in the Summer and Fall 2026 semesters.

Washtenaw Community College and Northern Michigan University have a 3+1 partnership that gives students the ability to spend three years at the community college before transferring all of their credits to the university to finish up a bachelor degree and teacher certification through online courses. This saves students both time and money, with the average student receiving $36,000 in cost savings through this model.

Beth Marshall, the early childhood program director at Washtenaw Community College, said, “We know these kinds of candidate-focused innovations are essential to recruiting and retaining more teachers in early childhood. This program is an exciting opportunity for WCC to demonstrate what’s possible with strong partnerships.”

For more information about Washtenaw Community College, visit the school’s website.