Making Connections. Many Members, One Purpose

As a young student in a social studies class, I remember learning about our country’s motto of “E pluribus unum”—out of many, one. I remember the conversations: What did it mean to create a united community that contained so much diversity? What would it feel like for me—an immigrant, first-generation, English language learner growing up in a rural, White part of Virginia—to be part of that community? Was it possible for me to feel like I belonged?

These questions have stayed with me all my life. As NAEYC’s first Asian American CEO, they mean that I have been committed from day one to a vision of belonging and to a community in which our many members are consistently building toward one shared purpose.

This has always been part of our organization’s mission: NAEYC is rooted in anti-bias work, dedicated to advancing equity in early childhood education, and committed to ensuring that all educators, all families, and all children feel seen and valued. But the reason I’m so focused on this feeling of belonging goes back to my own experiences of knowing what it feels like not to belong—and I am sure that many of you can relate.

NAEYC is rooted in anti-bias work, dedicated to advancing equity in early childhood education, and committed to ensuring that all educators, all families, and all children feel seen and valued.

As you have so generously shared your experiences with me, I’ve heard Black educators talk about how they feel like early childhood education communities are too White; faith-based educators who wonder if their expressions of faith are welcome; LGBTQIA+ educators and families who feel like their humanity is under attack. Family child care providers have told me that they can’t find their place in regulatory and quality early childhood education systems. Teachers in kindergarten and early elementary grades have shared the pressures they face to eliminate play-based, developmentally appropriate practices.

It’s clear to me that sometimes, we all struggle with this feeling of belonging—particularly when society’s systems and structures keep us apart and challenge us. This is occurring now with the development and enactment of policies around the country that reverse progress, cause harm, and disproportionately impact families who are immigrants, earning low incomes, LBGTQIA+, and/or from communities of color.

However, by taking action to operationalize our vision of belonging with all who share our values, NAEYC remains committed to working with you to address these shared challenges. We stand by our foundational principles, which reinforce the beautiful diversity of our community and guide us as we create a robust and supported profession that encompasses all communities and all learning settings, including child care centers, public and private schools, family child care homes, faith-based programs, community colleges, and universities.

One of the places this vision of belonging comes to life is at our conferences. We were so fortunate to be together with more than 7,000 members who attended NAEYC’s Annual Conference last November in Nashville, Tennessee. NAEYC gatherings are always a time to celebrate with passionate people from every facet of the early childhood ecosystem who are lifting our diverse voices in a unified call: to ensure all children have equitable access to high-quality, age-appropriate early learning opportunities that help them and their families thrive.

As we shared at Annual Conference, and based on what you have told us through surveys and other avenues, NAEYC is actively and intentionally implementing changes to deepen your feelings of belonging and engagement. These include:

Evolving membership. We are upgrading our technology to simplify the membership process, improve the accessibility of our resources, and make it easier to find and connect with other members of your NAEYC community. We are working closely with our Affiliates and other groups to create a new member model that is reflective of your needs, so we can grow our diverse community and further amplify our collective voice.
Revising position statements. Revisions to NAEYC’s “Code of Ethical Conduct” and “Early Learning Program Standards” are well underway. Look forward to multiple opportunities for engagement to ensure these position statements are relevant and meaningful for you.
Expanding professional development. Soon, you will be able to earn continuing education units (CEUs) for all of our professional learning experiences. These include new content that we envision to support the fourth edition of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8.
Revamping early learning program accreditation. With the support of a Gates Foundation grant, we are undertaking a comprehensive review and revision of NAEYC’s Early Learning Program Accreditation to make it easier for programs across all settings to equitably access and navigate the accreditation process.
Building our advocacy and outreach. NAEYC will continue to work closely with each of you—our members, partners, and Affiliates—to advance federal and state policies and investments in early childhood education. This includes engaging in nonpartisan electoral advocacy that centers your voices and the importance of early childhood education and educators.

As your professional association, we are committed to walking alongside you and amplifying your experiences and expertise so that policymakers and decision makers understand the crucial role that early childhood education and educators play—both in children’s growth and development and in our local and national economies. That’s why hearing from you and listening to you will continue to be a priority for me and for all NAEYC staff as we head toward celebrating 100 years of our existence. We will be intentional in creating opportunities for engagement, and we will continue to seek your guidance on how we can best serve you—ensuring that NAEYC is a place where each and every one of you know and feel like you belong.