During a recent staff meeting, I asked our team what they’re most looking forward to this summer and received many expected—and lovely!—responses: Beach, vacations, lemonade stands, time to read and relax. Yet like early childhood educators themselves, many of us will also be working hard—supporting you as you support families and children in a profession that can be demanding 24/7/365.

This relentlessness can be exhausting. When I visit programs around the country, I hear far too often from educators who “just don’t know how much more they can take.” This is all the more reason why it’s so important for us to be focused on the essential need to nurture and support educators’ well-being.

This issue has been important to me for many years. In the early days of my children’s educational journeys, as I witnessed their teachers’ extraordinary impact, I remember wondering: Who is supporting these professionals who give so much of themselves?

Coming to NAEYC helped me answer that question. It is part of our organizational responsibility—as well as our privilege and honor—to support you as the professionals you are through our journals and resources, professional development and conferences, advocacy and accreditation, and in building our vibrant, sustaining community.

The research highlighted in this issue confirms what many of you experience daily: Early childhood education is both profoundly rewarding and uniquely challenging. The complexity and challenges of your work take a toll. But this issue isn’t focused on naming the problem; it’s focused on solving it. You’ll find articles offering practical self-care and compassion strategies alongside pieces that invite deeper reflection and action.

Together, they acknowledge that well-being is about far more than individual choices. It requires systemic support and community connection.

NAEYC remains as committed as ever to being part of and advocating for the support systems that invest in your well-being, including your own education and compensation. Beyond the resources in this magazine, we continue to be tireless advocates for policies that advance our shared vision and values while creating spaces for meaningful connection through our in-person and online communities, conferences, and Affiliate networks. These connections remind us that we are truly stronger together, especially when facing the challenges and opportunities that confront us today.

The work you do each day to take on those challenges is remarkable. And it’s why I believe deeply that your well-being matters—not only for the quality of care and education you provide but for the quality of life you and your own families deserve. As families like mine rely on you to be partners in nurturing their children’s growth and learning, so too can you rely on us to nurture your professional growth and personal well-being. Thank you for the difference you make every day, in every season, and know that our commitment to supporting you in this vital work remains unwavering. (And I hope you do get some days at the beach, family vacations, and time to read and relax this summer as well!)

With appreciation and gratitude,

Michelle Kang
NAEYC CEO

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