Please join us in congratulating our six grand prizewinners and 25 honorable mention winners for this year's Early Childhood Professional Awards. Our winners will be honored at a party hosted by Scholastic at this year's NAEYC conference in Anaheim, California. Meet the Winners!

Infant Teacher Andrea Crandall RAF Croughton Child Development Center Tingewick, Buckinghampshire, England Andrea Crandall feels as if her career began by chance, but nominating parent Van Cantrell and 7-month-old Thomas Brown (whose mom wrote a nominating letter) have a different story. Van praises Andrea for caring for each child in the room with a "special touch," and notes that Thomas "smiles so big every morning when he sees her!" Andrea began teaching in an infant room when her daughter was 9 months old. She later worked in a preschool for one year but returned to infants because, "I love the changes you see and the nurturing that happens in this classroom." She feels her biggest success was becoming the lead teacher in the infant room, where she established a new routine that created a sound, stable home-like environment. Good communication and effective relationships with all the parents are important to Andrea. She invites them to drop by anytime to share in their child's daily activities and classroom events. "It's so exciting to share milestones that are achieved with the family! We all work together to make the child's life better." Andrea says she was influenced and challenged most significantly by two colleagues, Tami Brodie and Debbie Lassiter-Budd, who pushed her to be her best. She also credits her husband and children who encouraged her to do more and to go further.

Toddler Teacher Mary Beth Wagner Multnomah Early Childhood Program Portland, OR "Mary Beth has such a passion for her work with children," says Carla Dunn, who works alongside her in their special needs team and nominated her for this award. "I learned what it really means to watch and listen, and to follow a child's lead with my heart as well as my head. She is never satisfied to 'make do,' or to follow a packaged curriculum because it is easier." Mary Beth began her career when her youngest child was in kindergarten. She went back to school to get a teaching degree and found she really liked being involved as an early childhood classroom assistant. She went on to earn her master's degree in special education. Reggio Emilia training - a three-year-adventure-changed her whole way of thinking. "Having the opportunity to work with Reggio changed what I think of as important, how I viewed time spent in the classroom, and the importance of focusing on children's strengths." Mary Beth advises professionals starting out today to "trust your instincts and be sensitive to the needs of the children. It is really a good time to be in our field, now that the brain research has opened things up. We are focusing more attention on the needs of our children. Finally, remember to maintain a sense of humor - this is so important for everything in life."

Preschool Teacher Jackie Ingram Robins Child Development Center Robins AFB, GA Nominating parent Michelle Lucas feels that developing relationships and bonds of trust are what make a great award-winning caregiver. She is certain that Jackie Ingram has done this and more — proving herself to be an important influence on the lives of her family members. Jackie began caring for children by teaching Sunday school. Later, she visited the child development center in Guam, where she was living. She saw the enthusiasm and interests on the children's faces and loved to see their happy smiles. She became president of a parent-involvement group after taking a course that taught her different ways to incorporate and include parents. Her efforts increased parent involvement from 50 percent to 100 percent in one year. "Parents are important because they play a special part in the child's life. Teachers can learn so much and know a child so much better by talking to parents. That special connection is there and you can find it through one-on-one time with the parent and the child." Jackie's advice is to look within each child, follow that child's lead, discover his needs and interests, and know each is special. "The rewards come from seeing the individual accomplishments of each child. They first say I can't — then with little steps and positive reinforcement you can make the difference as the teacher. No matter what — believe in yourself, that you can succeed and that you will make a difference in a child's life."

Kindergarten Teacher Nancy Dryja Eurekadale Elementary Taylor, MI Sharon Vespremi, nominating colleague of Nancy Dryja, says the reason for Nancy's success is due to the fact that she has spent her entire life putting children and their families first. "She is the kind of teacher that every parent dreams about when they think of their child's first school experience." Nancy began her teaching career 29 years ago, but three years ago volunteered to teach challenged students at a transition school. She realized early that in order to foster a positive and safe learning environment for her students she needed to engage parents first, so Nancy began to do home visits on her own time. She listened patiently and invited parents to participate and slowly doubled parent involvement in her school. She organized programs for parent participation and gained their trust. She works daily to keep communication with families open for the sake of the child. She says "I won't give up on a child because I may be the last hope for this child." Nancy's biggest reward is knowing that she is a part of a child's life, that he feels safe and able to relate to her as he would to his mom. "With this kind of foundation I know the learning will come." She advises young teachers to never stop learning and to take advantage of all the opportunities around and given to them. "If you do that you will continue to love our profession and little children." She gives credit to two individuals who were her greatest influences. Pat Leibi, who "gave me confidence in myself as an educator," and Kay Dyer, who "gave me the wings to fly and encouraged me to use my ideas and involve parents."

Family Childcare Teacher Wanchalee (Lee) Putnam Lee's Family Child Care US Air Force Academy, Colorado "If you were the perfect mom, Lee does everything you would do. If I didn't work, I wouldn't do it as well as she does!" said nominating parent Dr. Leigh Anne Schweiter when she learned that Wanchalee (Lee) Putnam had been selected as a winner. She praised Lee, adding, "She just amazes me with her creativity and the things she does with the children every day." Lee began her program with her own children, staying home with Kyle and Laksamee, then helping care for a friend's baby and another's adopted children. All children in her program are like family, and are treated in a kind, respectful manner. "She is a model of patience and a master at redirection," says Leigh Anne. "She integrates daily reading experiences into creative projects." This award winner's advice to anyone planning a career in family childcare is to work hard to get licensed and meet the most stringent criteria for the children. "This is really a unique business, not just a baby-sitting service. You need to learn how to write a contract, do accounting, and know tax regulations. Start small, accepting only a few children so you are not overwhelmed. Stay connected with the childcare community. This is important in order to learn and improve your skills and to support one another. Read all you can and attend conferences and workshops." Lee's biggest reward is "seeing how children in my care develop social and basic life skills, so they are ready for the next step in their lives." Later, even sometimes as much as ten years later, when letters or cards come, she values knowing the children are succeeding in school and in life.

Director Christopher Carman Linn County Child Development Center Cedar Rapids, IA "Everything that Chris Carman does, no matter how big or small, he does with enthusiasm, integrity, and grace" writes nominating colleague, Jasmine Wu. "Despite his many demanding responsibilities in the community, Chris manages to put our center first, always taking time to be involved with children. They welcome him with big hugs and friendly smiles. He is willing to walk an extra mile to meet the needs of our families. He does not focus on his own success but is most rewarded by responding to the needs of children and families." Chris started his career as a volunteer in a childcare center. From there he moved on to a variety of related positions as a teacher, Head Start director, community action advocate, grant writer, program administrator, and worker for Head Start nationally. This involvement became a highlight of his career when he was invited to the White House for the signing of the Head Start Reauthorization Act. As director of the Linn County Child Development Center, Chris is committed to keeping his staff current in the profession. His advice to new professionals is to continue to grow through formal and personal development. "I hope they have a real passion for the field, a sense of commitment and purpose. Educators are not always rewarded monetarily or in public perception or status. They need to feel strongly that they are making a difference." 2001 Scholastic Early Childhood Professional Awards Honorable Mentions Denise Carter Children's World Learning Centers Hudson, OH Roy Craft RAF Croughton Child Development Center Tingewick, Buckinghampshire, England Sue Derusha Miss Sue’s Family Day Care Eielson AFB, AK Theresa Durrence ABC Daycare (Always the Best Care) Robins AFB, GA Michele Fortenberry Chele’s Family Child Care Ft. Lewis, WA. Donita Franklin University of Southern Florida Preschool for Creative Learning Tampa, FL Angelica Maria Gaucin Children’s World Learning Centers USC Child Care Center Pueblo, CO Karen Hicks Children’s World Learning Centers Ft. Meade, MD Mrs. Bev Klingbeil Children’s World Learning Centers West Allis, WI Shelley A. MacPherson Almost Home Family Day Care Elmira, NY Rebecca Martin Rebecca’s Awesome Kids PostFalls, ID Tamila (Tami) Martin Children’s World Learning Centers Lanham, MD Michelle Miller Langley Air Force Base Family Child Care Langley AFB, VA Bunny Monteiro Meritor Academy North Andover, MA Barbara L. Naish Oak Grove United Methodist Church Child Development Center Decatur, GA Joyce Nickels Oak Park Elementary Bartlesville, OK Terrance Packer Eifel East Child Development Center Spangdahlem, Germany Gloria Perry Andrews Air Force Base CDC II Andrews AFB, MD Kim Reynolds Family Child Care Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ Dr. Eric Rodney Concerned Citizens of Sunset Park Head Start Brooklyn, NY Kathleen Schwitzer Blue Balloon Child Care Home Davenport, IA Jennifer Spurgin Gibson CDC Kirtland AFB, New Mexico Julie Strahl Strahl Family Child Care Sacramento, CA Tracy Washek Family Child Care Home Sheppard AFB, TX Stacia Wolhafe Ridley Area YMCA Ridley Park, PA For information about entering next year's Early Childhood Professional Awards Program, see the April 2002 issue of Early Childhood Today.