DCAEYC & American University
Reclaiming the Value of Care Work:
Infant and Toddler Teachers’ Memories and Experiences of Building Caring Communities - A Collaborative Project of DCAEYC and American University
Content Credits: American University
We invite you to participate in Reclaiming the Value of Care Work, a collaborative project developed by the District of Columbia Association for the Education of Young Children (DCAEYC) and American University.
This project centers the voices and professional knowledge of teachers who work directly with infants and toddlers. Through conversations, an individual interview, and a photo essay, teachers will reflect on their experiences and share what they want others to understand about caring for and educating our youngest children.
The photo essay will combine photographs and teachers’ own words to make the often-unseen work of care visible. It will give teachers an opportunity to show what care looks like in practice: the relationships, thoughtful decisions, everyday interactions, environments, and experiences that are meaningful in their work with infants and toddlers.
We welcome experienced infant and toddler teachers committed to their work and who have developed their own perspectives and philosophy about care, relationships, teaching, and learning.
What Will I Do?
All activities will be facilitated by Berna Artis, Executive Director of DCAEYC, Sung Ryung Lyu, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at American University, and Mira Celik, Filmmaker and Producer at American University.
Participants will take part in:
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February 20, 2027 | 9:30–10:30 a.m. In-person introductory group meeting at the DCAEYC Office
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Individual interview | Approximately 30 minutes. Scheduled individually and conducted at your program
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March 6, 2027 | 9:30–10:30 a.m. Virtual guided conversation with other participating teachers
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March 20, 2027 | 9:30–10:30 a.m. Photo-Essay Workshop 1 at the DCAEYC Office
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April 17, 2027 | 9:30–10:30 a.m. Photo-Essay Workshop 2 at the DCAEYC Office
Group meetings are scheduled on Saturdays to give teachers dedicated time to participate, reflect, and focus without classroom responsibilities.
Click on the images below to fill out the form:
Compensation
Each participating teacher will receive $500 for their time and participation.
We recognize that teachers’ time, experience, and professional knowledge have value.
Children’s Privacy
No identifiable photographs or images of children will be taken or used.
Classroom photographs may show hands engaged in activities, materials, classroom environments, or other details of teaching and learning, but they will not show children in ways that allow identification.
Children’s names and other identifying information will not be included. Protecting children’s privacy will be a priority whenever we take photographs in classrooms.
Teacher Participation and Recording
Because this project aims to increase visibility for infant and toddler educators and their work, participating teachers will be publicly identified by name and program/institutional affiliation.
We will film individual interviews and record virtual guided conversations. Project materials may be shared publicly as part of the final project.
This applies only to participating adults. Children will not be identified or shown in identifiable images.
Why Participate?
This is an opportunity to reflect on your work, connect with other infant and toddler educators, and help the broader community better understand the knowledge, relationships, and care involved in teaching our youngest children.
Your experience is crucial. Your professional knowledge is impactful. Your voice should be part of the story.
Interested in Joining Us?
We would love to hear from you! If this project speaks to you and you would like to be part of it, please complete our short and simple application.
We’ll ask you to tell us a little about yourself, your experience working with infants and toddlers, and what interests you about the project. There are no right or wrong answers. We just want to get to know you and your work.
Selected teachers will be contacted with next steps and additional project information.