Eastern U.P. colleges create a new pathway for early childhood educators 

The early childcare crisis across the Upper Peninsula and the country is a two-front battle.

First, there is a shortage of early childcare slots in communities – though many collaborative groups in the U.P. and elsewhere are working to change that. Secondly, there is a shortage of qualified early childcare educators. 

In the eastern U.P., Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Bay Mills Community College are stepping in to address the latter, addressing a critical need for highly qualified educators in the region and beyond.

The institutions have partnered to create an Early Childhood Education program, providing a seamless “3+1” path for students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Michigan Birth-to-Kindergarten teaching certification.

“Michigan has moved beyond the outdated divide between qualified and certified early childhood teachers,” said Becky Davis, who is a faculty member at LSSU with expertise in early childhood education. “The Michigan Department of Education now recognizes that young children need educators who are both. Teachers trained in early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practice — especially for children with special needs — provide the strong social, emotional, and academic foundation children need to succeed.”

What’s happening: Lake Superior State University and Bay Mills Community College have signed an agreement to create an Early Childhood Education-specific articulation. The pioneering partnership creates a seamless “3 + 1” pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree and Michigan’s Birth-to-Kindergarten teaching certification.

Why it’s important: This agreement marks the first formal ECE-specific articulation between the two institutions. While previous transfer options existed, this program is uniquely designed to culminate in teacher certifications, the colleges said in a joint news release. “This is a significant advancement that responds to both student aspirations and statewide educational priorities,” according to a news release.

“This articulation agreement in Early Childhood Education strengthens pathways for Bay Mills students to advance their studies at LSSU, while building bridges between our institutions that will benefit families, communities, and the regional workforce,” said Dr. David Travis, president of Lake Superior State University.

About the “3 + 1” structure: The program allows students to complete three years of coursework primarily online through Bay Mills Community College before finishing their fourth year through LSSU’s flexible online and hybrid formats, which are scheduled to accommodate working professionals. A cornerstone of the program is the dual advising model, meaning advisors from Bay Mills Community College and LSSU will guide students, beginning on day one.

What they’re saying: “This partnership between Bay Mills Community College and Lake Superior State University demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Duane Bedell, who is president of Bay Mills Community College in Brimley. “By working together, we are creating opportunities that strengthen education and support families across the region.”

After graduation: Graduates of the program will be eligible for Michigan teacher certification in Birth-to-Kindergarten general and special education, a credential that enhances professional recognition, improves pay scales and opens doors to expanded career opportunities within tribal communities across Michigan and other states through license transfer.

About Bay Mills Community College: Located in Chippewa County, Bay Mills Community College is a fully accredited, tribally controlled college located on the shores of Lake Superior. The college offers associate degrees and certificates with a focus on Native American education. 

About Lake Superior State University: Lake Superior State University is a close-knit university in Sault Ste. Marie, where many faculty and staff know students by name. Founded in 1946, the University’s one-rate tuition seeks to make education accessible to all students.