I am humbled by your tenacity

    President's Message

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    Heidi Thumlert

    I am humbled by your tenacity.

    Lately I find myself with a tune humming in my head ~ “Here Comes the Sun” written by George Harrison and recorded by the Beatles in the summer of 1969. Whether it reflected the turbulent times our country was going through then or not , it certainly seems to feel very contemporary as if  the song could have been written for today. It is a tune that is optimistic, uplifting and hopeful.

    Here comes the sun do, do, do
    Here comes the sun
    And I say it’s alright

    Little darling it’s been a long cold lonely winter
    Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

    Here comes the sun …

    Little darling the, smiles returning to the faces
    Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

    Here comes the sun …

    Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
    Little darling it seems like years since it’s been here

    Here comes the sun…

    Here comes the sun …

    What a year we have had! I have been amazed at the stories of how you have responded to staying connected to the children in your care; drive by car parades for birthdays, reading stories, doing music and movement, creating art projects with materials that can be found at home, helping parents cope, just to name a few and of course most of this on Zoom.  To those of you who stayed open to take care of essential workers’ children, I also tip my hat. You showed incredible bravery and above all you have amazing courage and compassion.  On top of that, in your off time you helped to advocate for stimulus legislation on the state and federal level, example the American Rescue Plan. Because of your tenacity our country is really beginning to understand how essential we are. I am so proud of your work.

    CAAEYC has started a new series, called Regional Workshops. They were originally designed to be held around the state, hence the name. We will go back to that model once California fully opens up. Our first topic was on Trauma Informed Practices, Speaker Kelli Rizzi, who did an outstanding job!!  In May we looked at Advocacy with James Moses, Joyce Robinson and Fran Chasen, members of the Public Policy Committee just in time for the May Revise. In June our topic is Embracing Equity with Shelia Butcher-Smith. Plan to look for more information about these in the coming weeks. You can also go to our website at CAEYC.org. Many thanks to the Professional Development Committee and the Chair Kathy Thompson for pulling these together.

    Our annual conference: inspiring creativity through innovative practice was held April 23-25. One of the good things about being virtual is that we had presenters from around the country. How fortunate to have had some new names and topics to add to our workshop presentations. The new platform we used was really fabulous. What a difference in just one year, I hope you were as impressed as I was. Access to the recorded keynotes and workshops is available through June 25. Thanks so much to our office staff, Deidre, Brandie and Jana for all of their hard work. Huge kudos also go to the Conference Committee, chaired by Shera Scott. Planning for next year began as soon as this year’s conference was over.

    I am so grateful for your tenacity, courage and passion!  Stay strong, resilient and most importantly, take care of yourselves.

    Heidi Thumlert
    info@caeyc.org