From April 10-16, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child. I am so proud that we can honor the critical work of our early childhood educators in this way.

They embody Mizzou’s enduring commitment to lifelong learning and our strong core values, and they have an immense impact on the teaching, research and outreach missions of the university. Even during the pandemic, our early childhood educators stepped up selflessly and with incredible compassion to teach, serve and support our communities. We are so grateful.

I want to recognize our amazing teachers, student-teachers and staff who support our Child Development Lab and the Adventure Club.

I also want to acknowledge the important work of our educational researchers and scholars. They continue to grow the university’s statewide and national impact as a public, land-grant, AAU institution with projects in educational development, pedagogy, accessibility and inclusion, and more.

Please join me in celebrating these and the many other contributions of our current and future Mizzou educators!

— Mun