Educating Young Children Volume 1 – Spring 2025 | Page 13

NAEYC: The Illinois School Board of Education named you Early Childhood Teacher of the Year in 2024. What project were you recognized for?

Michelle [ CS: IS: As THERE a first-year BRANDING teacher FOR during WOYC the THAT COVID-19 SHOULD pandemic, I led ACCOMPANY professional development THIS BLURB for?] the teachers at my school to help them set up their Google Classroom sites and to use interactive

[ TITLE ] Week of the Young Child ® Is Here! tools for virtual instruction. I also wrote a social story about remote learning Join us and for created NAEYC three’ s 2025 different Week of DonorsChoose the Young Child projects ® celebration to help pay April for materials 5 – 11! Our I annual used to event strengthen, started families in 1971’, abilities celebrates to engage early in hands-on learning, activities young children with their, their children teachers at, home and families. Outside. Learn of the classroom more about, I was WOYC recognized activities for, my proclamations work on equitable, and daily funding themes and the importance of representing Illinois teachers’ voices in the state’ s early childhood decision making.

NAEYC: What’ s next for you?

Michelle: I’ ve become passionate about educating our next generation of teachers. I’ m recently certified in foundations of college teaching and am seeking adjunct faculty positions. As a Teacher of the Year, I have opportunities to be part of advisory groups to the state board of education. I hope to continue engaging in policy and advocacy. But I want to do these things as I continue to teach full time. I have no plans to leave the classroom. I’ m still in love with it!

Photographs: courtesy of Michelle Zurita-Sharpe Copyright © 2025 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See permissions and reprints online at NAEYC. org / resources / permissions.