Education Workforce Center Updates 

The new Education Workforce Center will provide free tools and support to address educator burnout and shortages. Fueled by a $900,000 grant, it aims to strengthen and retain the early childhood workforce.

While working as a preschool teacher, Charlene’s supervisor shared a way she could enhance her skillset without spending much of her own money to do it. The opportunity was the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship, or CELWS.

Timothy Avant is a student at City Colleges of Chicago and preparing to become an early childhood educator tuition-free with the support of the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship (CELWS).

Barrios said she has always wanted to increase her own education credentials, even though she has had plenty of experience in the early childhood field. A tip from a professor at Daley College led her to apply for the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship (CELWS).

In order to increase her education level, Patino completed an Illinois Professional Educators Licensure (PEL) in fall 2020 semester at UIC. Through CELWS, her tuition and books were all covered.