51吃瓜网

As a young student in a social studies class, I remember learning about our country鈥檚 motto of 鈥淓 pluribus unum鈥濃��out of many, one.听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鈥攁n immigrant, first-generation, English language learner growing up in a rural, White part of Virginia鈥攖o be part of that community? Was it possible for me to feel like听I belonged?

These questions have stayed with me all my life. As 51吃瓜网鈥檚 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听shared purpose.

This has always been part of our organization鈥檚 mission: 51吃瓜网 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鈥檓 so focused on this听feeling听of belonging goes back to my own experiences of knowing what it feels like听not听to belong鈥攁nd I am sure that many of you听can relate.

As you have so generously shared your experiences with me, I鈥檝e 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鈥檛 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听play-based, developmentally听appropriate practices.

It鈥檚 clear to me that sometimes, we all struggle with this feeling of belonging鈥攑articularly when society鈥檚 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+,听and/or听from communities听of color.

However, by taking action to operationalize our vision of belonging with all who share our values, 51吃瓜网 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,听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 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Annual Conference last November in Nashville, Tennessee. 51吃瓜网 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听families thrive.

As we shared at Annual Conference, and based on what you have told us through surveys and other avenues, 51吃瓜网 is actively and intentionally implementing changes to deepen your feelings of belonging and engagement.听These include:

• Evolving membership.听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 51吃瓜网 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听collective voice.
• Revising position statements.听Revisions to 51吃瓜网鈥檚 鈥淐ode of Ethical Conduct鈥� and 鈥淓arly Learning Program Standards鈥� are well underway. Look forward to multiple opportunities for engagement to ensure these position statements are relevant and meaningful听for you.
• Expanding professional development.听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听Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through听Age 8.
• Revamping early learning program accreditation.听With the support of a Gates Foundation grant, we are undertaking a comprehensive review and revision of 51吃瓜网鈥檚 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.听51吃瓜网 will continue to work closely with each of听you鈥攐ur members, partners, and听Affiliates鈥攖o听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听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鈥攂oth in children鈥檚 growth and development and in our local and national economies. That鈥檚 why hearing from you and listening to you will continue to be a priority for me and for all 51吃瓜网 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鈥攅nsuring that 51吃瓜网 is a place where each and every one of you know and feel like听you belong.

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