After 20 years of working in group home management, Karen Klindworth, a member at Christ, Zumbrota, Minn., decided she was ready for a career change. “I was on call 24/7, and it was not the best fit for my family, as we have young children,” she says. Interested in pursuing full-time ministry, Klindworth approached her pastor, Wayne Schoch, for guidance.

Schoch highlighted early childhood education as an area in need of qualified teachers across the local community. He then directed her toward new online classes at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., designed specifically for adult learners who are looking to transition into or advance their qualifications in early childhood education (ECE).

MLC’s four tiers of support for early childhood teachers provide a flexible framework for developing early childhood teachers no matter their background or georaphic location. Because ECE programs can be difficult to staff due to high rates of turnover, MLC’s program aims to increase retention as well as provide quality training.

John Meyer, director of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education at MLC, explains, “Ministry happens best when people are at a location for a period of time so they can gain the trust of the parents and congregation members. . . . We think it’s crucial that we build in methods for congregations to invest in these people so that they want to stay.”

The four separate tiers allow adult learners to identify entry and exit points that best fit their unique goals and education levels. The first tier consists of 25 free out-of-the-box modules that schools and ECE directors can use to train and on-board staff.

Klindworth started with Tier 2. Tier 2 guides students through the process of earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential—a nationally recognized credential that qualifies individuals to be hired as early childhood lead teachers in many states. Students receive guidance as they complete three credits of coursework, work toward 480 required hours of classroom experience, and prepare for the final CDA exam.

With only one more course to complete in the prep CDA series, Klindworth has already started working through Tier 3, which provides WELS early childhood ministry certification. She has already received and accepted a provisional call from Precious Lambs Preschool, Rochester, Minn.

Klindworth plans to advance all the way through Tier 4, which culminates in an associate degree in early childhood education.

“This program is an asset for WELS early childhood centers because it provides another avenue for congregations to explore when looking for teachers,” says Klindworth. “There is such a shortage of available teachers to call, so why not look within our own congregations and encourage folks who have gifts in this area to explore this option?”

Learn more at mlc-wels.edu/continuing-education/four-tiers.

A data-backed solution

Prior to implementing these four tiers of support, the Office of Continuing Education at Martin Luther College conducted a detailed survey to learn more about the needs of WELS early childhood centers. It learned that in 2021–22, about 20 percent of early childhood education teachers were called workers, and about 80 percent were hired with no ministry certification. Additionally, the data showed that for 44 percent of the synod’s lead teachers, a high school diploma was their highest degree level.

Ultimately, the survey highlighted an opportunity for additional professional and ministerial support for ECE staff. “What a blessing that MLC has been able to respond by providing both early childhood education and ministry training to anyone serving in a WELS early childhood ministry,” says Cindi Holman, coordinator of WELS early childhood ministries. “[These options] can strengthen each early childhood ministry—and our ministries as a whole—as we strive to share the gospel with children and families.”

Author: FIC
Volume 111, Number 12
Issue: December 2024