Early Educator Collective
Early Career Teacher Support
Focused on resilience, connection and long-term career sustainability.
Burnout. Stress. Emotional fatigue. You face challenges in the classroom. In Wisconsin, about half of teachers leave the profession by their seventh year; this turnover creates strain on school districts, including increased costs, disruption to student learning and more pressure on existing staff. The Early Educator Collective has been designed specifically to support teachers by providing an external, impartial, cross-district space for reflection, connection, mentorship and growth during the crucial first few years in your career.
Take a Look
Dive into the details to determine if the program is right for you.
Led by Experts
You'll learn directly from experts. Our first two leaders are Vicki Bayer, current Green Bay Superintendent, and Kerri Gremminger, a professional career coach.
100% Virtual Monthly Meetings
The program is designed to fit your schedule, with monthly 1-hour virtual sessions held from September through May. You'll also get two independent coaching sessions with the instructors.
Process & Fees
Schools determine teacher candidates for participation, and teachers complete the application. UWGB will develop cohorts and learning experiences. Schools incur a program fee of $1,500 per participating teacher.
Connect With Teachers Across the State
Access a safe space to learn and share with your peers.
Think of it like a virtual teachers' lounge. Each cohort will consist of 20 teachers in their first five years of teaching, with no two teachers being from the same school. In this model, you can discuss scenarios, get different perspectives and learn new solutions while you get while you get support from peers going through similar experiences and knowledgeable professionals that have been there before.
Desired Outcomes
- Increased early-career teacher retention, supporting district stability and reducing the long-term costs associated with turnover.
- More resilient and confident educators, better equipped to manage the demands of the profession and sustain performance over time.
- Stronger professional identity and commitment to teaching, contributing to long-term career persistence.
- Improved ability to navigate complex workplace dynamics, including communication, feedback and competing demands.
- Reduced strain on internal mentorship and leadership capacity, by providing an external layer of structured support.
- Stronger regional educator networks, strengthening collaboration and shared learning across Northeast Wisconsin districts.
Meet the Experts
Experienced professionals with years of practice in and around schools lead the Early Educator Collective.
Vicki Bayer
Green Bay SuperintendentWith 35 years in education, Bayer has served as a classroom teacher, associate principal, principal, director of student services, deputy superintendent and superintendent of the third largest school district in Wisconsin. Throughout her career in rural, suburban and urban districts, her work has been grounded in a deep belief that strong schools are built by strong teams.
Kerri Gremminger
Executive & Leadership CoachKerri Gremminger is an International Coaching Federation‑certified executive and career coach with 25+ years of senior‑level experience in corporate Learning and Talent Development. She helps professionals gain clarity and confidently navigate their careers by designing work that aligns with their strengths and values.
Let's Connect
Our Continuing Education team is committed to collaborating with our community to provide support. If you have questions about the Early Educator Collective, we're here to help.