Our Scholars

What our Past and Present PIP Scholars have to say about their experiences in the PIP program

Words From Our Scholars

I would not have been able to accomplish everything I have so far without the help and support of everyone involved with the PIP scholarship. It isn't just about the money although that certainly helps a great deal also. The people are the best and will help you anyway they can and if they can't, they will find out who can. They definitely go above and beyond. --

Shea Schierling

“It feels like continuing my education and training is fine tuning my skills and knowledge. I just obtained a higher paying job because of the DALE certification and ORO step increase.

"My classes have been an amazing introduction to ECE. It is giving me the tools I need to be successful. I have a better understanding of children's backgrounds and cultures and how to properly navigate challenges. Practicing what I learn in my class in my field placement has given me more confidence, I feel more prepared and feel like I have more tools. I feel more comfortable engaging with children in the classroom. This program has changed my life. It has sparked my passion to pursue my education. I didn't think this would be a reality for me." ~ Javier Saldana

I have been in childcare for a couple of years now. Started a daycare, loving that I get to help children grow and learn. I found resources to apply for the Preschool Promise Program. My coaches helped me do a professional development plan and had me connect me with the Partners in Practice Program. From that moment, they helped me get into the PIP scholar program. At 37 years old I never would have thought about college. School was a bad experience for me growing up. The navigators knew all the answers to my questions and responded quickly and thoroughly. I love going to school now! The PIP staff has been the utmost positively encouraging people through all of my classes, helping me with applications, and keeping me informed on any news and updates. I have enjoyed all of my classes. I went from a 1 to a 7.5 in my ORO, within a matter of months. Now I am a few classes away from a certification. I am so grateful for the program to reach out and help me go back to school. I could not have done it without the program. It is a blessing to have this program and everyone that helps it run work so hard and are so kind to help. Thank you for all that you do.

~ Dusty Stroud

"My classes have been an amazing introduction to ECE. It is giving me the tools I need to be successful. I have a better understanding of children's backgrounds and cultures and how to properly navigate challenges. Practicing what I learn in my class in my field placement has given me more confidence, I feel more prepared and feel like I have more tools. I feel more comfortable engaging with children in the classroom. This program has changed my life. It has sparked my passion to pursue my education. I didn't think this would be a reality for me." ~ Javier Saldana

“A lot of the courses that require the practicum hours have given helpful activities of assignments to implement in creative ways to our classrooms. There is a continued plethora of knowledge and tips to grow as a teacher and implement new ideas to our daily practices. I am seeing a new confidence in myself and am growing in my communication with families. I have more tools to regulate myself and have even taken on more leadership roles at work. With the increases in my ORO steps and my consistency in working hard and doing better for myself and the children in my care I have been given a new class to head, along with a bonus! Without the PIP Scholarship I wouldn’t have been able to pursue a future career in ECE. I now know that this is the direction I want to go and am able to be a better, more knowledgeable teacher with it.”~ Sarah Ellis