Symposium sparks connections in early childhood education

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”.

Nelson has been with the Radford Early Learning Center for over six years, working as a before and after school care teacher, program specialist, assistant director, and currently, center director.

She said her early childhood education teacher in high school, Rebecca Roseberry, told her that some children go to school to learn, and some go to be loved.

“That is my life quote, and I live every day with it,” said Nelson . “Something I always tell my teachers is that we don't always know the whole story. The positive experience we provide could be a very important part of a child’s day and influence the rest of their lives.”

For Nelson, working with children means being a beacon of light, a positive role model, and a guide through their formative years all in one. 

Driven by love and passion, early childhood educators are essential in a child’s academic and emotional development, but they cannot do it alone.

A diverse and ever-growing village

Early childhood education stretches beyond the work of educators, as reflected in this year’s Early Childhood Champion Award ceremony. Supporting children’s success involves more than just getting them in the classroom. It involves providing counseling resources, drafting legislation, and bringing more professionals into the field.

"What excited me the most about our nominees is seeing the range of folks that are necessary to have healthy children and families,” said Andi Golusky, executive director of NRV CARES, naming a legislator, mental health specialists, and students who play vital roles in the community. 

This year’s Early Childhood Champion Award winners, Seth Zaki and Connor Farrell, embody this commitment through their work with Meals on Main, where they serve fresh meals to children and families on their days off.

The work of all the nominees shows how a community can come together to expand and empower early childhood education professionals and the success of future generations.

Through continued support, recognition, and diversification in the field, Fricker envisions that the NRV can become “a model for what a community can achieve when it values and invests in early educators.”

Written by Ally Seaver, a student in the School of Communication and multimedia and strategic communications intern for the Office of the President