The NAEYC Lasting Legacy Scholarship program sends a cohort of early childhood educators to the Annual Conference. The scholars come from early education centers, school districts, community colleges, and universities. They may be involved in direct care, preparing educators, or pursuing degrees in early childhood education. They have in common a desire to be more – to do more – for the profession.

NAEYC’s goal is to grow the next generation of leaders in the early childhood education profession. Lasting Legacy Scholarships often make attending the conference possible when institutional or personal funds aren't available. Attendees tell us they benefit from education in a specific area, encouragement to reach further and the networking opportunities. We hope that those selected for scholarships are inspired to advocate for best ECE practices wherever they work and that they share those practices with colleagues, families and students. Someday, scholars may be in a position to make policy improvements at the local, state and national levels. Simply put, scholarships help build visionaries.

When I received the Lasting Legacy Scholarship in 2020, I was an early childhood educator and early intervention provider with a deep passion for supporting children and families. My experiences in the classroom and in communities gave me a perspective of the systemic barriers that make it so difficult for educators to thrive and for families to access the care they deserve. These challenges ignited a desire in me to make a difference at the systems level, but I wasn’t sure how to take the next step. 

The Lasting Legacy Scholarship gave me the opportunity to attend NAEYC’s Public Policy Forum, where I was introduced to the world of advocacy and policy in a way that was both inspiring and actionable. For the first time, I sat across from legislators, sharing my perspective and advocating for change. That moment showed me that my voice mattered, and it sparked a passion for advocacy that has shaped my career ever since. 

I was particularly drawn to NAEYC’s work on Power to the Profession and the Unifying Framework, which resonated deeply with my belief in the need for professional recognition and fair compensation for early childhood educators. I connected deeply with NAEYC’s work and saw them as a leader in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing our field. I knew this was an organization I wanted to be part of, and the Public Policy Forum gave me a pathway to engage. 

Looking back, I can say that the Lasting Legacy Scholarship was a defining moment for me. It gave me clarity and the opportunity to pursue a future in policy and advocacy, and it ultimately led to my current role as a member of NAEYC Governing Board. For the first time, I saw NAEYC as not just an early childhood education organization, but an organization for me. I remember sitting at the Public Policy Forum and dreaming of the ways I wanted to get involved and make a difference and it was that experience that encouraged me to run for the Governing Board. 

The Lasting Legacy Scholars Program is an investment in the future of our profession, empowering emerging leaders to develop the skills, connections, and vision they need to drive change. Today, I am working to advance the policies and systems that our field, and the children and educators we serve, so desperately need. Programs like these give professionals the opportunity to not only learn but to discover their own capacity to lead and make a difference. Investing in young professionals today is essential to building the leadership of early childhood education tomorrow. — Troy Hunter

The conference experience and the lasting legacy scholarship gave me hope for early childhood education and reinvigorated my passion for why I joined this field in the first place. Providing emerging leaders the opportunity to attend the conference gives us the opportunity to learn from others in different settings to improve our practice – so often, we don’t have the opportunity to see anything outside our own classrooms!  — Sarah Sibley