“All young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.” The first six words of NAEYC’s vision is that to which most all early childhood educators – including myself – have committed our professional lives.  We want all our kids – and they are all our kids – to develop free of stress in nurturing environments, flourish through all their talents and gifts, and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for success in school and in life. It is the second part of NAEYC’s vision statement that seems the most daunting, especially if we take it on alone.  But, we need not.  How can we work together to create a world for our children where everyone is committed to nurturing the youngest of us so that they can achieve without limits?  This is what NAEYC has strived to accomplish for over ninety years. It is the collective impact of its 60,000 members that has the potential to stand up for children together and build a culture that allows all children - including children with disabilities, English learners, and children from low-income families - to thrive. Now, more than ever, we have an urgent call to stand up for children throughout rural communities, in cities and in towns, both here and abroad and say children are our priority.  We as a nation, must value high-quality early learning for all children, from birth through age 8. We strive to connect practice, policy, and research and support the diverse early childhood professionals who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. I want to join the national team leading this movement as Secretary for the NAEYC Governing Board.
 
For thirty years – as a preschool through third grade teacher, federal senior policy advisor, Executive Director of a state-wide non-profit, and now Assistant State Superintendent – I have worked to promote equitable access to high-quality early learning for all children.  I have overcome many obstacles along the way, both personal and professional. I have been inspired by the many leaders in our field who have fought – and continue to fight – for the right of every child to full and inclusive participation in our education system. I have not been discouraged by set-backs because I knew that by upholding our core values and beliefs, we would prevail.
 
Today, however, we live in a world that has become highly unpredictable.  For many of us, this causes stress, but it is at its worst, a mere inconvenience.  For millions of children and families across America, it means real loss of opportunity. There are immense contradictions in our country. While policies and budgets proposed at the national level would reduce investments in health and education services for young children, 89% of all voters support making quality early learning opportunities for young children more affordable for working families. There are many who would roll back the progress we have made for vulnerable children and families in recent years, or worse, remain complacent and do nothing. In the absence of a strong national voice for children today at the highest level, NAEYC and its partner organizations must stand strong and loud for children.
 
The inequities of access to high-quality services in our communities continue to fester, and educational gaps persist for many poor children and children of color. We must work together to connect what we know about what children and teachers need to know and be able to do to our policies and practices. We must support and engage the diverse early childhood workforce who care for and educate our children with the skills and knowledge they need. We must use our collective, powerful voice to improve the trajectories of our children and the future of our country. I believe I could help raise that voice as Secretary of the NAEYC Board, serving as a member of the Executive Committee and advisor to the Executive Director as she works with affiliates and individual members to implement NAEYC’s strategic priority goals around expanding high-quality early learning, lifting our profession, strengthening our organization, and promoting effective leadership and innovation.
 
My unique knowledge, skills, and leadership experiences provide me with an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to NAEYC and further its vision and mission.  I possess broad knowledge and awareness of early childhood issues facing the field today, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to serve as an ambassador and public spokesperson on behalf of the Association.  I also have a great sense of humor and a devilishly, playful disposition.  I would regard the opportunity to serve on the NAEYC Governing Board as an honor and with a great sense of responsibility.