As a career early childhood educator and advocate for early childhood education, I know that quality opportunities for children lead to better outcomes later in life and to stronger families, communities, and economies. Vermont is facing a shortage of early childhood educators in all settings including teachers in our public schools. Children, families, and employers are all feeling the effects of turnover, burnout, and uncertainty.

As we move into the election season, please take the time to learn what positions our candidates hold on investing in early childhood education and our schools. Investing in children is a lever of change that helps us all.

Thoughtful understanding of both early childhood education and what the public education system offers to both students and communities is important in understanding the needs of the families, children, and students who live all across the county.

Wendy Harlin and Jubliee McGill, have this understanding and are developing new visions that can be among the new faces in the legislature in January. If elected, they will join our early childhood champions from Addison County in Montpelier. Ruth Hardy, Robin Scheu, Amy Sheldon, Matt Birong, Diane Lanpher, Mari Cordes, and Caleb Elder are each reliable advocates for our schools and early childhood programs.

Candidates are busy making themselves known to the voters. I encourage you to participate in the process.

Primary day is coming right up on Tuesday Aug. 9. Early voting has begun.

Su White, ECE

Lincoln