I am Dr. Anthony Broughton, a passionate early childhood educator, who connects practice; an administrator who connects policy, and a scholar who connects research to robustly promote high-quality learning for all children. The day I answered the call to enter the early childhood profession, I made a commitment to harness my knowledge, talents, gifts, and experiences to ensure that all children are provided equitable opportunities to reach their full potential. This commitment was ignited during my first Teacher’s Appreciation Week, when one of my Black, male kindergarten students, dressed up as me during Book Character Dress Up for Literacy Day. He became an avid reader of my Children’s Book Series, Lessons By Nature, and decided to honor me. I was his role model; and from that day forward I realized that my practice as a teacher was powerful and vowed to ensure excellence and innovation in early learning for all children. This moment occurred weeks after I learned that my class (The Curious Cubs) scored “100% Criteria Met” during our NAEYC accreditation site visit! As a black male Kindergarten- First Grade teacher I felt affirmed that I had what took to promote high-quality early learning. I became mission-focused and pursued a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education to begin connecting research to promote high quality learning. I later became an administrator locally and state-wide, to foster collaborative relationships on a larger scale; which I have sustained to date. These experiences fuelled my passion because I witnessed the vital and critical role of the early childhood education profession. Thus, I work as a teacher educator, to ensure that “The early childhood education profession exemplifies excellence and is recognized as vital and performing a critical role in society.”
Having presented at numerous NAEYC conferences, NC, GA, and SC affiliate conferences, joined the organization, and served on our state affiliate board, I was compelled to advance the organization by recruiting student members through my role as the university early childhood program coordinator and as the chair of the SC affiliate Young Professionals committee. My recruitment efforts were successful because I was able to convince potential members that, “NAEYC is a highly valued, credible, and visible organization.”
I believe in the mission of NAEYC, and take my role as a member seriously because I understand our critical role in our nation. #earlychildhoodmatters! Thus, to protect our mission, I have committed to organizational excellence. I am a current student in the Cornell University Change Leadership certificate program. In my current capacity as the Early Childhood Program Coordinator at Claflin University; as the committee chair on the SCAEYC board, on Cope Advisory Board, TYC Advisory Board and on several other committees such as the Claflin University Academic Affairs committee, I critically and systematically review materials provided campus wide. My sustained and active engagement as a leader within these organizations speaks to my track record of effective governance and leadership experience. Because of these administrative roles, carefully preparing for meetings by reviewing and synthesizing the provided background materials are second nature to me. Through these collaborative roles, I fully participate in group discussions by respectfully offering and listening to diverse points of view; and make thoughtful decisions that are in the best interests of the associations I am affiliated with.