It takes a village to raise a child, and early childhood educators are an essential part of our communities. They are fundamental in shaping the lives of future generations by providing high-quality education to today’s children.
As a land-grant university, Virginia Tech recognizes the importance of providing a quality education from the start, especially for the New River Valley (NRV) community, or “village,” that the university calls home.
Often, however, that village needs support too.
Despite clear evidence of their importance, many educators do not receive the financial or emotional support necessary to meet the responsibilities of the profession, and their work often goes unrecognized.
Igniting Connections Symposium
Since 2022, Virginia Tech has hosted the Igniting Connections Symposium to help create that foundation of support.
The annual symposium brings together early childhood educators, center-based program leaders and directors, local government officials, and community members to expand their networks and be recognized for their work in early childhood education. It is organized by the Early Childhood Education Initiatives through the leadership of Program Manager Kim Thomason and her team and in collaboration with regional partners.
The symposium features impactful speaker events, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities, offering a unique experience for early childhood educators and other attendees. The purpose of the symposium is to create a space that fosters connections between early childhood education professionals and offers valuable resources to strengthen the overall community health in the area.
“At Virginia Tech, we understand the foundation you provide to young children is critical. Not just for their success in K-12 education, but for the well-being and vitality of our entire community,” Ron Fricker, vice provost for faculty affairs at Virginia Tech, said as he spoke to teachers at the event.
The recognition they deserve
Recognizing early childhood educators at the symposium is as important as providing them with educational resources. Honoring their work and dedication to the profession elevates their role within the community.
The Early Childhood Champions Award, sponsored by The Community Foundation of The New River Valley’s First Steps, is a part of the symposium that aims to elevate the early childhood education field by celebrating five award recipients for their contributions and providing financial support to continue their work.
“It’s great to be recognized because it’s not a field you get a lot of recognition in,” said Sidney Nelson, center director at the Radford Early Learning Center and a 2024 Early Childhood Champions Award nominee. “You might get some from parents, you might have Teacher Appreciation Week, but that recognition puts your face on a screen and gives us the opportunity to talk about the great things that we do”.