Illinois Public Media recognizes the Early Childhood Champions in our communities. The 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 will honor prospective teachers, current teachers, staff & administrators, center providers, Head Start staff, home-based childcare providers, and the family, friends, and neighbors who provide full-time care or volunteer service to our young children, birth-2nd grade.

Do you know someone who is an 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏? Consider nominating them today! Nominations must be submitted on or before 11:59 pm on Friday, March 31, 2023 to be eligible.

We will recognize the award winners at our 𝙞𝙣-𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 celebration on Friday, May 12, 2023, 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Illinois Public Media Collins Studio.

We will award four awards this year:

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
• Currently enrolled in a fully accredited undergraduate or graduate early childhood educational program in the state of Illinois
• Must be in good academic standing with their academic institution (minimum 3.0 GPA)
• Demonstrated commitment to campus or student leadership
• Demonstrated passion and desire for working in Early Childhood Education

𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
• Currently employed with a licensed early childhood classroom, facility, or program
• Employed 5 years or less in the early childhood education field
• Demonstrated Leadership: as evidenced by providing direction, energy, organization, and efforts aimed at improving early childhood education
• Demonstrated Professionalism: as demonstrated through advocacy, expertise, and high ethical standards
• Demonstrated Self-Reflection Practices: through the conscious commitment to the profession and to their own professional development

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
• Currently employed with a licensed early childhood classroom, facility, or program
• Employed 6 years or more in the early childhood education field
• Demonstrated Leadership: as evidenced by providing direction, energy, organization, and efforts aimed at improving early childhood education
• Demonstrated Professionalism: as demonstrated through advocacy, expertise, and high ethical standards
• Demonstrated Self-Reflection Practices: through the conscious commitment to the profession and to their own professional development
• Demonstrated Mentoring: by modeling dimensions of teaching that nurture the professional development of students, beginning teachers and colleagues

𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝐕𝐈𝐏) 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
• Individual or organization that has volunteered with a licensed early childhood facility or program for at least 1 year
• Demonstrated and proven passion and desire for working in Early Childhood Education
• Demonstrated impact on children and families enrolled in the Early Childhood Program