Arizona Teacher Earns Free Degree While Working Full-Time

Debbie Burbank never had to choose between earning a paycheck and earning a degree.

The assistant teacher at Pinon Unified School District in Window Rock, Arizona, just graduated from Northland Pioneer College with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. The best part? She didn't pay tuition and kept working the whole time.

Burbank's achievement came through Arizona PBS' early childhood educator scholarship program, funded by First Things First, Arizona's early childhood agency. The program specifically targets people already working in early education who want to advance their careers without going broke in the process.

"First Things First has given me a free opportunity to graduate from NPC with my bachelor's degree in early childhood, while working as a teacher assistant in preschool," Burbank said after connecting with Arizona PBS coordinators at the Encircle Families' Four Corners Special Education Day on September 1.

The scholarship program works through the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry, an online hub where early childhood educators can track their careers, find professional development opportunities, and apply for educational funding. Teachers can pursue Child Development Associate credentials, associate degrees, or bachelor's degrees while maintaining their current jobs.

The Ripple Effect

Burbank's story represents more than one person's success. Arizona faces a critical need for qualified early childhood educators, and programs like this create a pipeline of skilled teachers who already understand classroom realities.

When assistant teachers can become lead teachers without drowning in debt, kids win. These educators bring years of hands-on experience into their degree programs and return to classrooms with both practical knowledge and academic credentials.

The program removes the biggest barrier to professional growth: having to quit your job to go back to school. For many working in early education, that choice simply isn't possible.

Arizona PBS and First Things First are betting that investing in people already committed to early education will strengthen the entire system. Early results suggest they're right.

Burbank now brings her upgraded skills to the students at Pinon Unified, proving that when we make education accessible, everyone benefits.