Whenever I visit early childhood programs around the country, I love to ask people,“ What’ s your story? How did you come into this work?”

My path into early childhood education started outside of it— initially through pursuing a childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician, then working in the juvenile court system, studying education policy and business, and also becoming a parent. What became clear through all of those experiences and put everything into focus was something that early childhood educators know deeply: The earliest years matter more than any other time of life because this is when children’ s brains are developing fastest.

While raising three sons with the help of early childhood professionals, my husband and I learned so much, and we realized that many of these educators were earning new credentials and degrees even as they cared for our children. They were focused on gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure children had the joyful, developmentally appropriate learning environments that would give them their best start. I remain grateful to these teachers( some of whom are still educating young children!) for giving my children the foundation for who they have become.

As NAEYC’ s CEO, it is my honor to advocate for this essential field that has such an outsized impact on our country and our world. In my role, I can engage with individuals and also take a systemwide view of the field.

4 Educating Young Children

Fall 2026