PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Fall 2025

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Happy Fall, everyone! As the weather begins to cool and the leaves give way to the first hints of winter, we’re reminded that this is a season of both reflection and preparation. Personally, I’m hoping we get plenty of snow this year — I’ve set a goal to build an igloo before the season is out!

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Your MnAEYC Board has been busy over the past few months building connections and expanding professional development opportunities for our members. We’re proud to be collaborating with organizations such as FamilyWise, the Minnesota Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (MNDEC), and the Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE) to bring a wider array of learning experiences to educators across our state. Some of these opportunities are highlighted in this newsletter — so be sure to take a look!

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Planning is also well underway for our 2026 Annual Conference to be held January 30 & 31, and we’re excited about the sessions being finalized. This year’s lineup will feature a diverse range of topics across family child care, center-based care, and early elementary education, as well as a strong slate of Develop-approved sessions on the second day. Registration will open at the end of this month — keep an eye out for the announcement!

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In addition, we’re already preparing for the 2026 Summer Leadership Institute, which will be held at Minneapolis College on June 18, 2026. Save the date now and look for more details in our spring communications.

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As we move forward, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to our incredible members. MnAEYC’s strength lies in the commitment and generosity of professionals like you. Every one of our board and committee members is a full-time educator or leader volunteering their time to uplift the profession statewide. We truly couldn’t do this work without you.

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We also want to keep our doors open — if you’ve ever been curious about getting involved, we warmly invite you to join one of our subcommittee meetings to see where your passion and expertise might fit. Together, we’re continuing to build a strong, connected, and thriving early childhood community in Minnesota.

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Warm regards,
Jodie Riek
President, Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children