OUR MISSION: OUR CHILDREN’S SUCCESS

We believe all young children should thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. The Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

​WHAT WE DO

SAZAEYC works to support high-quality education for children and high-quality professional development for its members. We are your local affiliate with the National Association for the Education of Young Children.​

• The SAZAEYC Annual Conference, held each fall at the University of Arizona, offers 8 hours
  of high-quality professional development for early childhood educators and professionals.
• The SAZAEYC Annual Awards Brunch, held each spring, honors and supports individuals in
  the Southern Arizona community who have been leaders and advocates on behalf of children,
  families, and early childhood educators through awarding the SAZAEYC Early Childhood Awards. 
• SAZAEYC collaborates with statewide partners to organize an Arizona Public Policy Forum
  each February. This event helps early childhood advocates develop advocacy skills, learn how
  to tell their stories, and make their voices heard for children. Participants meet with and get
  advice from policy leaders and community experts, explore local/state resources, and refine
  their skills to be informed and effective advocates for the Early Childhood Day at the Capitol
  following the forum in the same month.
• SAZAEYC participates in Week of the Young Child® each April, an annual celebration
  sponsored by the NAEYC with a purpose to focus public attention on the needs of young
  children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet
  those needs. We plan a local fun-filled week celebrating young children and their families with
  hands-on, collaborative activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music,
  food, and art.
• Social Events, including quarterly happy hours.
  • Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with SAZAEYC!
  • Subscribe to the SAZAEYC listserve
• Las Familias: Whole Teacher, Whole Child Community Of Practice
  • Join monthly discussion groups, visit other schools, and refine your practice.
  • College credit
    
    

As a SAZAEYC and NAEYC member, you join the largest national network of early childhood teachers. As a professional you learn about new ideas in the field, receive book and conference discounts, and experience support from your colleagues. Click here to become a NAEYC member or email Executive Director  Ashley L Barbara for membership information.

VALUES AND BELIEFS

Our core values are defined in the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct / El Código de Conducta Ética y Declaración de Compromiso and the NAEYC statement on Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education / Promover la Equidad en la Educación Infantil. In addition, we seek to be a high-performing, inclusive organization that is enriched by and continually grows from our commitment to diversity, as embodied by our core beliefs. We strive to uphold these values and beliefs in all our initiatives within this document and our interactions in the communities we serve. See our Diversity and Non-discrimination Policy here.