A Year of Reflections

Throughout NAEYC’s 100th year, we’re collecting stories from early childhood educators, asking people across the country to share their personal and professional journeys. In this issue, we feature reflections on what inspired people to join the field and how their experiences shape how they view it.

“As a first grader, I fell in love with learning because of the food and books that were available at my elementary school. I decided that I wanted to be part of what was happening there. My teachers embraced me, and the lunchroom ladies captured my attention. Then I discovered the library. There were more books than what we had at home, and I was free to explore them. I traveled through books because segregation limited where we could travel as a family.

“By the time I reached fifth grade, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. Mrs. G. selected children to be ‘teacher for the day.’ I wanted to wear stockings and heels to school, change into my flats, and go to the teachers’ lounge to buy a Coca-Cola. I became one of the teachers for the day, and my career path was set.