Fellowship Eligibility
- Legacy Leader Fellowship applicants must have been accepted into an NAEYC-Recognized Leadership Development Program.
- NAEYC members in good standing are encouraged to complete the Legacy Leader Fellowship Application.
- Eligible applicants must provide a letter from their employer approving the applicant’s participation in the year long Legacy Leader Fellowship.
- Applicants must have at least a baccalaureate degree and 5 years of experience in the field.
Applicants will be considered not only from traditional early childhood education sources (i.e., teachers, program administrators, child care resource and referral counselors, faculty, and trainers), but also others linked by their endeavors to the field such as individuals from business, policy making, and nonprofit management.
Legacy Leader Fellowship Award
- Fellows will receive a financial award of up to $10,000 for expenses related to participation in one of the NAEYC-Recognized Leadership Development Programs and travel to the NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo and the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development.
- Fellowship awards may vary in amount due to the unique nature of the leadership development programs and the specific needs of each Fellow. Although financial need is not a condition of eligibility, NAEYC seeks to maximize resources to the greatest extent possible among the leadership development program, NAEYC, and any support the Fellow’s employer may be able to provide.
- Fellows will receive mentoring support from the Legacy Leader Fellows Program Coordinator, Dr. Martha Munoz (mmunoz@naeyc.org). Please contact her for additional information.
Fellowship Expectations
The next Fellowship year timeline is summer 2012 through summer 2013. What are the expectations for Fellows? Each Fellow must:
• Remain a member in good standing of NAEYC and to commit future support to the Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign.
• Follow the fiscal policies of NAEYC and work with NAEYC staff to find the most economical form of travel related to participation as a Fellow.
• Recognize that the LLF award amount is based upon a jointly agreed upon projected budget. Any additional expenses beyond this amount will be considered the responsibility of the Fellow or Fellow’s employer.
• Create and utilize a professional development plan and evaluate the implementation of this plan.
• Attend and fully participate in the Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA November 7–10, 2012, and the Professional Development Institute June 9–12, 2013 in San Francisco, CA.
• Participate in scheduled conference calls, individual, and group meetings scheduled by the Legacy Leader Fellows Coordinator, and engage in the online community.
• Fulfill all the requirements of the NAEYC Recognized Partner Leadership Development Program in which the Fellow is enrolled.
• Agree to develop a project related to a state or local AEYC Affiliate and present this project at the 2013 Professional Development Institute in San Francisco, CA.
• Serve as a mentor to later cohort Fellows.
• Complete surveys, questionnaires and/or participate in interviews related to participation as an LLF for a period of five years following completion of the 2012–2013 Cohort.
Selection Criteria
Consideration will be given to bring together a diverse mix of participants with respect to academic preparation, professional experience, gender, age, ethnic and racial diversity, as well as geographic location.
The strength of the letters of recommendation and quality of the applicant essay will also be considered.
Application Checklist
- Completed application
- Essay
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation from a professional colleague
- Letter of support from your employer
