Mission

Chicago Metropolitan Association for the Education of Young Children is a membership organization dedicated to leading and strengthening the efforts of professionals who work to achieve healthy development and quality education of children from birth to age eight.

Vision

History

Chicago Metro AEYC originated as the Association of Nursery Schools (ANS) in 1926. It was an affiliate of the National Association of Nursery Schools (NANS). In 1962, when the national group renamed itself the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Chicago affiliate aligned itself with the national group and became the Chicago Association for the Education of Young Children. In 1992, the word “metropolitan” was added to the name to reflect the suburban, as well as urban, population served through membership.

The Fine Arts Building was home to Chicago Metro AEYC from the mid-60’s to July of 2002. It was in the Fine Arts Building that the first part-time Coordinator was hired. The Bennett Brothers Building located at 30 East Adams became the new home for Chicago Metro AEYC in July of 2002. The move to the 10^th floor of the Bennett Brothers Building allowed Chicago Metro AEYC to expand its space for volunteers, meetings and office needs.

The first full-time Executive Coordinator was hired in the mid-1980’s, along with additional part-time staff to keep financial records, to coordinate volunteer efforts and to assist with the conference. The Executive Director position was created in 1991. Today Chicago Metro AEYC's staff includes six employees. Membership has grown from 50 members in the mid-1960’s to over 1,500 members today, and conference attendance hasincreased from several hundred in the early 1960’s to more than 5,500.

This organization continues to emphasize quality in programs, as it has since long before the word “quality” was used to describe programs that worked effectively for children. Week of the Young Child was an advocacy campaign that originated in Chicago in 1969 before the word “advocacy” was used to describe public awareness initiatives on the needs and rights of young children.

Thanks to Shirley Dean and Pat Goodman for this historical perspective.

Board

Mark McHugh, President
Gail Conway, Vice President
Leon Denton, Secretary
Beth Lakier, Treasurer

Board Presidents

Staff

Tom Layman, Executive Director
Octavia Durham, Facilitator, Professional Learning Communities
Tara Kennon, Director of Communication & Marketing
Dexter Smith, Facilitator, Professional Learning Communities
Greshenka Weatherspoon, Office Administrator
Cambra White, Financial Coordinator