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Commentary: Investing in early childhood teacher education pays off

Pat Bagley’s recent cartoon depicting teachers as the driving force of Utah’s economy was brilliant, and an insightful statement on the role of educators in the success of our state’s growth and economic well-being.

Research shows that the foundation for a skilled workforce is created in childhood. And that starts with having access to great early childhood educators. With that in mind, Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah’s Department of Family and Consumer Studies and the U’s College of Education are collaborating to reinstate and revive the Early Childhood Education Teaching Program to graduate more teachers who specialize in the education of our youngest children — Pre-K to third grade.