NAEYC announces formation of Legacy Leader Fellows Program

Program enhances leadership opportunities with national early childhood association

(Washington, DC)- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is proud to announce the formation of the Legacy Leader Fellows Program. The purpose of the program is to improve the quality of early education and care services through the creation of a group of diverse emerging leaders who will serve as role models, advocates, and leaders in their communities and the early childhood education field.

“This is a very exciting time to be involved in the early childhood education field,” said Mark R. Ginsberg, Executive Director of NAEYC. “NAEYC wants to ensure that the momentum in the field includes nurturing the next generation of leaders, with a greater emphasis on leaders in our field from diverse communities. This will enhance the early childhood field and benefit more of our young children from communities across the nation.”

NAEYC will work collaboratively with a corps of early childhood focused leadership development providers that share NAEYC’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders. Selected fellows will receive up to $10,000 stipend for expenses related to participation in one of the NAEYC-Recognized Leadership Development Programs.

The first class of three fellows will be selected in early 2010 and will be recognized in a number of NAEYC publications. Applications are due February 1, 2010. More information on the qualifications and applications are available now online.

The fellows program is an extension of the larger Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign, NAEYC's annual giving program, which was launched in 2008 to provide funds for leadership development, scholarships, affiliate development, and professional development to support and advance the field of early childhood education.

Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has nearly 90,000 members worldwide. The association is the largest and most influential voice for early childhood education professionals and the field of early childhood education in the United States.
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