Building a strong start: How Virginia Tech is supporting early childhood education

From dedicated child care professionals to passionate community partners and advocates, the 2025 Igniting Connections Symposium brought together a wide range of voices committed to shaping the future of early childhood education.

Jim Harris began his keynote address with a message that would resonate with attendees throughout the day: “It is a privilege to participate in a child's life.”

Hosted in September by Virginia Tech’s Early Childhood Education Initiatives in partnership with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley’s First Steps, the symposium highlights the New River Valley’s child care community, which serves hundreds of families including employees at Virginia Tech.

“It’s a privilege for our university to host the event as part of our commitment to expanding high quality child care in the region — not just for Virginia Tech faculty and staff, but for all community members,” said Bryan Garey, vice president for human resources.

The annual event includes a keynote speaker and interactive workshops focused on social-emotional growth, curriculum and behavior strategies, and how to be a leader in challenging times. It also features important networking opportunities where community partners share practical support.

"We know that the answers come from engaging our entire community, from our local child care centers to our community leaders, our parents and caregivers, and our local government and businesses. We all play a role to create sustainable solutions that lift the pressure off of you [the child care workforce] and ensure the health of this ecosystem,” said Lisa Wilkes, vice president for strategic initiatives and special assistant to the president.

This year’s sponsors affirmed that commitment, coming from across the state, including Child Care Aware of VA, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, New River Community College, NRV Cares, Radford University, the Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children, and EO, an Abingdon-based organization developing regional solutions for early childhood care and education.

"EO is that next level of support, where we're helping child care centers and families get quality care,” said Christine McCartney, early childhood care and education program doordinator for EO. “We love a chance like this to have a table to directly get our information to teachers and directors, so that they can see what's available and what kind of support we have. And the symposium always has such a wonderful turnout."

The growth of the symposium — doubling in attendance over the past two years — reflects the region’s shift to view early childhood education not just as a service but as a shared community effort best seen in the conversations that bring educators, caregivers, and partners together.

Diverse perspectives, shared vision

The symposium creates an important space for meaningful conversation between diverse perspectives within the profession, said Crystal Fentress, a Virginia Preschool Initiative educator at Christiansburg Primary School.

“Everybody in that room has something very important to offer, working with different families in different capacities, but it's the connection piece of those differences coming together that really is the powerful point,” said Fentress.

Regional partnerships make it easier to ensure there are shared responsibilities and the purposeful transfer of care and information between providers, a concept Harris called “community handoffs.” These exchanges provide families continuous support throughout all parts of young children's lives.

Sofia Abraham‑Hardee, associate dean of clinical affairs at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, shared how her workshop on childhood illnesses bridges the gap between pediatric care and early childhood education, giving “an opportunity for daycare providers to feel empowered” about children’s health and helping them determine next steps to ensure seamless follow-up.

“The symposium and Early Childhood Champions Awards Luncheon give those of us working in government, business, higher education, and nonprofits the chance to sit side by side with early educators, supporting their growth as professionals, and expressing our gratitude for their work. Our team learns so much each year from this event, and we appreciate being among the many partners who make it possible,” said Jessica Wirgau, CEO of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley.

The heart of care

Jeanne Roper is the co-founder of the Valley Interfaith Childcare Center, which she started in Blacksburg in 2004 with a $2,000 donation from her church.

“We had zero knowledge of what it was going to take, but we were motivated by a feeling that every young child deserves the best we could give them,” said Roper. “Failure was not an option.”

Her persistence earned her the 2025 Legacy Award as part of First Step’s Early Childhood Champions Awards, an annual part of the symposium that recognizes educators, caregivers, advocates, and their supporters across the New River Valley. 

Roper believes her legacy will be defined by the children whose lives she’s touched. For her, the true reward has been the privilege of helping children feel seen and valued from the start of their lives.

“The most important thing any child learns in their early life isn’t reading or calculus or anything like that, but whether they are valued, treasured, important and loved,” said Roper.

That belief echoed throughout the symposium, which served not only as a milestone for progress, but a catalyst to continue this work. It reminded attendees that early childhood care and education is more than systems and strategies —it’s about people: showing up, building meaningful connections, and making sure every child feels seen, safe, and supported.

Above all, attendees said, it's about remembering that caring for a child is not a task, but a privilege and an essential service to the community that requires constant attention.

"The squeaky wheel gets the oil, and I want early childhood to be the squeaky wheel," Fentress said. "I want everyone to understand the importance and hope I can contribute to that somehow.”

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