Editors’ Note: As NAEYC marks 100 years of advancing early childhood education, the Year of Reflections storytelling initiative invites educators, advocates, and leaders across the field to look back on the journeys that have shaped them as early childhood professionals. In this issue’ s edition of Educator Voices, three contributors to this initiative share how they have grown in the early childhood field. They were selected to represent a range of roles, regions, and career stages. Each story has been edited for length and clarity.

Seek Out Mentors

I arrived in the United States from Ukraine in April 2022, beginning my life and career in an entirely new country. As a newcomer, everything felt unfamiliar: The language, the systems, and the professional expectations. Even though I came with a strong love for children and prior experience in education, I quickly understood that early childhood education in the United States has its own philosophy, standards, and practices that I needed to learn with humility and openness.

Community college became my true beginning in the US early childhood field. Through my studies, I earned my site supervisor permit, but more importantly, I gained confidence and a sense of direction. I was fortunate to learn from instructors who did far more than teach

course content. Educators patiently guided me through the nuances of US preschool education: Developmentally appropriate practice, observation and documentation, family partnerships, and ethical responsibilities. They took time to explain not just what we do as educators, but why it matters.

As an immigrant, feeling that I belonged was not automatic. It was mentorship that made the difference. My teachers’ encouragement, clarity, and belief in my potential helped me see myself as a professional who had something meaningful to contribute, even while still learning a new system.

Today, working in a preschool, I am deeply inspired by the children I teach. I admire their curiosity, resilience, and openness to the world. Every day, they remind me that early childhood education is about relationships, trust, and growth— both for children and for educators.

24 Educating Young Children

Fall 2026