Celebrating Our 2025 Scholarship Recipients at the NAEYC Annual Conference

Each year, the NAEYC Annual Conference brings together thousands of early childhood professionals for several days of learning, research, and connection. As part of our commitment to expanding professional growth opportunities in Washington, DC, DCAEYC was proud to award two scholarships for members to attend the 2025 conference in Orlando. This year’s recipients, Lashawn Palmer and Annette Miles, reflected the dedication, curiosity, and leadership that define our community. During the week, both shared their experiences in short video interviews that captured the impact of participating in the largest early childhood education conference in the world.

Lashawn spoke about how energizing it felt to be surrounded by educators committed to strengthening the field. She joined sessions, connected with colleagues from across the country, and highlighted how meaningful it was to support and represent the DC community. Her reflections showed the importance of creating pathways for early childhood professionals to expand their learning and bring new ideas back to their programs.

Annette described how valuable it was to meet university professors and researchers whose work aligns with her own studies on play and neurological development in the classroom. She shared her enthusiasm for continuing those conversations and deepening her research after the conference. Annette also noted how NAEYC resources support her teaching year round, reinforcing the value that membership brings to educators at every stage of their careers.

Both members expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate, and their experiences illustrate why investing in scholarships is essential. Conferences like NAEYC offer access to new research, emerging practices, and the chance to build meaningful professional networks. When our members learn and grow, our entire community benefits.

Next year, the NAEYC Annual Conference will take place in Washington, DC. We are honored to welcome colleagues, partners, and friends to our city, and we look forward to continuing to uplift the voices of our members while strengthening early learning across the District.