“My university supervisor for student teaching was my first great mentor. She helped me really see the connection of research to the classroom. She helped to build my confidence in teaching through play-based experiences and...she gave me a student membership to NAEYC as a graduation present. She listened, supported and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Her kindness and leadership was the perfect combination for growing new teachers!”

Deb Heim Martinez, Arizona

"There isn't really a day that goes by that I don't think about my Kindergarten teacher.  She made me want to go to school everyday. I couldn't wait to be in front of her each morning and hear about what we were going to do that day… She helped me realize how much I loved school, and that I wanted to be a teacher. Years later when I graduated from college, and I was just starting to teach, I went back to my old elementary school to visit with her. She recognized me immediately. She held my face in her hands and looked at me the same way she did so many years before. She had this incredible way of really "seeing" each child, and making us feel special; worthy. That was the same look she gave me in that moment."

Amy-Marie Rivera, California

"My journey into early childhood education began long before I had the language for child development or the credentials I hold today. It started simply babysitting for my neighbor for what was supposed to be one week. That one week turned into a month, and here I am 36 years later, still devoted to supporting young children and the educators who care for them. Even then, I understood that children deserved spaces where they felt safe, valued, and free to explore who they are."

Mary Robinson-Banks, Pennsylvania

"My most meaningful moment connected to the National Association for the Education of Young Children came when I moved beyond seeing myself solely as a classroom educator and began engaging with the broader professional community. Early in my career, I knew I loved working with young children and supporting their growth. However, it was not until I became involved with my state affiliate and connected with other early childhood professionals that I experienced a true sense of professional belonging. Listening to educators, administrators, and advocates share their passion for high quality early learning and equitable opportunities for children helped me realize that early childhood education is not just a job. It is a profession grounded in shared values, ethical responsibility, and collective advocacy."

Anthony Flores, Arizona

"My defining NAEYC moment came in the mid-1990s, when I had the opportunity to lead my colleagues through our program’s first NAEYC Accreditation. At the time, I was a young leader working in a hospital-based child care center, and while the idea of accreditation felt daunting, the process quickly became something far more meaningful. It did not ask us to change who we were—it helped us see, name, and honor the high-quality work we were already doing every day with children and families."

Adrenna Paolillo, Connecticut

"My most meaningful NAEYC moment wasn’t about a keynote or a big stage. It was in a room full of early educators—different states, different backgrounds—but the same fire. We weren’t just attending a conference. We were building a field. That was the moment I felt it: this is where I belong."

Deziree Mattocks, Georgia

“When I first began my journey, I didn’t fully understand the depth of this work. Over time, mentors guided me, colleagues challenged my thinking, and experience taught me lessons that no textbook ever could. Through these experiences, I have learned that growth in this field is not accidental. It requires reflection, patience, and a willingness to adapt. What I once believed about teaching has evolved significantly. I have refined my approach to child development, learned to create environments that respect each child’s individuality, and come to understand the profound responsibility we hold as educators in shaping children’s futures.” 

Rosemary Paul Ameh, International (Victoria Island) 

“There are moments when advocacy requires speaking boldly. There are also moments when leadership requires stepping back, asking better questions, and decentering myself. What changed most was my posture. I moved from seeing myself as the inspiring voice at the front of the room to becoming a learner within it. And in that shift, my work became deeper, more relational, and more aligned with the children, families, and educators I aim to serve. Knowing better has meant recognizing that equity work begins with self-examination. Doing better means continuing that work — together.” 

Melody Passemante Powell, Virginia 

"One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that growth in early childhood education never truly ends. I continue to learn every day through the educators I meet, the teams I support, and the children and families we serve. Their experiences constantly challenge me to reflect, adapt, and improve.” 

Luciana Aguiar, Indiana 

“I personally enjoy volunteering where children are involved.  This allows me to interact with children through play and give their parents a break.  I also get a chance to observe children in different stages and explore the theories of child development through our interactions. Volunteering with young children keeps me young at heart!” 

Racquel Washington, Texas

“Play is the beginning, middle and the end for early childhood. I think that you can manipulate the items in the centers, highlight ways they might be used and use children’s ideas as something to share with other children. Through these types of environmental changes, actual involvement in the play and honest appreciation for real problem-solving solutions children design real thinking becomes the focus.” 

Lori Bevill, North Carolina 

“Once again, early childhood found me. It opened doors I never imagined for myself. Doors that led me to leadership, confidence, and a deeper understanding of my own potential. At a time when I didn’t think I had the mindset or knowledge to lead; early childhood education showed me that I did. Early childhood didn’t just become my career; it became my calling.” 

Liliana Sanchez, New Mexico

“Advocacy isn't about being loud; it's about being consistent and intentional.” 

Fisayo Irabor, International

“Being part of this effort is the moment I am most proud of, not because of the program alone, but because of what it represents: A field moving closer to justice, a workforce gaining long-overdue recognition, and a future where every early educator has a clear, supported pathway to lead, teach, and thrive.”

Christina Laney, California 

“I have learned that making a difference does not always mean speaking at a podium or leading a large event. Simple actions—such as helping parents understand the value of play-based learning, creating an inclusive environment, and speaking up for a program’s needs—also matter. Each step, no matter how small, strengthens the movement to ensure early childhood education receives the support and recognition it deserves.”

Carla Harris, Georgia

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!

Check back later to see highlighted stories from this month!