Happy Women’s History Month! 🥳️
The theme for AECA this year is Linking Hearts and Minds: Early Childhood Connections.
This month we will be celebrating stories from our past presidents about women who who helped shape their experience as early childhood professionals. They were able to help grow our early childhood field here in Arkansas and I hope that continues to happen today with the women in YOUR life.
Today’s share comes from Shaneil ‘PJ’ Yarbrough, our immediate Past President of AECA.
An important figure in my early childhood career is Trena White, the former Executive Director of Families and Children Together, Inc. (FACT, Inc.). I had my first chance to provide professional development to ECE classroom staff during an agency-wide training at FACT, Inc. After the training, Mrs. Trena praised my work and encouraged me to “go further.” A few months later, she sent me a request for proposal (RFP) to the National Head Start conference. Initially, I was hesitant to accept the invitation to speak in front of strangers, but I decided to give it a try and submitted the RFP. To my surprise, I was selected to present in Indianapolis a few months later. This opportunity in the mid-2000s fueled my passion to provide interactive, engaging presentations. I am grateful for Mrs. Trena’s encouragement to “go forward” and I hope to inspire others to do the same as I continue in my career.
Who are the women in your circles who have inspired you to become a better early childhood professional? Email president@arkansasearlychildhood.org with your stories.
Be sure to keep coming back to our socials to find more stories throughout this month and I look forward to reading yours.
Looking forward to connecting!
Natasha Kile
AECA President
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