NAEYC leaders and staff with the heart and will of a gazillion. They bring forth their skills and knowledge in collaboration with many partners, members, and Affiliates to make NAEYC what it is today. Because I have had the opportunity as a Board member and president to engage with our Affiliates, NAEYC staff and leadership, and across our membership, I can now say, NAEYC IS US! And it will take all of us— members, staff, leadership, Affiliates, and Board representatives— to sustain this dear organization for another 100 years.
How can we reach another 5, 20, 25, 100 years? I again go back to the concept of Sankofa: We must first know, then build upon what has helped us reach this 100-year milestone as an organization. In previous columns, I have shared why I believe we have maintained our professional community of early childhood educators for 10 decades. Now take a moment to reflect on your thoughts:
› What has kept you connected to NAEYC?
› What will keep you connected to and supportive of NAEYC?
› How will you— as a NAEYC member, leader, and / or supporter— contribute to our mission, vision, and strategic direction?
This latter question is very important as I charge each of us to consider ways in which we can learn, grow, and develop through NAEYC while also contributing to its growth, development, and innovation. It reminds me of a saying by Kenyan philosopher John S. Mbiti:“ I am because we are; and since we are, therefore I am.” NAEYC will be stronger, better, and more impactful over the next century because WE will be stronger, better, and more impactful over the next century.
In closing, I asked my three children to provide us with their own Sankofa wisdom about how we shall move forward as an organization in the next century:
What do you like best about your teachers?
Isaiah( age 5): Om, I like them when they give me centers, and I like them when they give me recess and let me enjoy my recess.
What do you think teachers need to learn to be the best teacher ever?
Frederick( age 7): So, they need to learn how to communicate with their students, and they need to, like, know every single question they ask, so you have an answer to. So, like my teacher, she always has fun activities, and you need stuff to entertain people.
You know I’ m the Board president of NAEYC, and we focus on helping young children, teachers, and programs and schools be excellent and be their very best. We are turning 100 years old! What advice can you give us to make it another 100 years of doing this good work?
Zoe( age 9): To keep doing what you are doing. Being nice to teachers and be sure the teachers are doing what they are supposed to and understand what they are supposed to do, correcting them in a nice way, and being good to them.
I encourage each of us to reflect on why we joined this organization and the ways in which we can elevate our contribution and support of NAEYC, our early childhood family. Together, we can set the pathway for another 100 years of serving our workforce, children, families, and communities.
Onward and upwards in early childhood education!
Copyright © 2026 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See Permissions and Reprints online at NAEYC. org / resources / permissions.
NAEYCNEWS
Spring 2026 Young Children 81