To the members of the NAEYC Men in Education Network (M.E.N.):
I’d like to send out a heartfelt Thank You to all of you for honoring me on Nov. 16 with this year’s Champion for Men and Children Award.
It is a profound honor and privilege to know many of you and to have worked with you over the years.
It is especially gratifying that it came from a group of people that I admire so much for all of the hard work that you do in the early childhood education field.
For many years, you have kept a keen focus on recruiting and retaining men in our field because you have seen firsthand how critical it is for young children to absorb the influence of male teachers and caregivers. All of you are doing important work and you are to be commended for it.
I’ve said many times our field now is about honing the skills of the people who directly impact the lives of our children. All of you are prime examples of that changing trajectory, in that you are uniquely qualified to bring diverse and impactful teaching to today’s children.
Again, thank you for this great honor. And I’ll see you out in the field!
Valora Washington, Ph.D.
CAE Credentialing Specialist
Chief Executive Officer
Council for Professional Recognition