Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Katie Krause (left) and Maricela Novoa (right), 2026 recipients of the Nebraska AEYC Distinguished Service to Children Award!🎉🏆

Katie has been highly impactful in the early childhood community through her work with Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, the National Wildlife Federation's Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) program in Nebraska. One example is the "Look Who's Hatching" curriculum and specialized block play programs she has helped develop, often in partnership with Omaha Public Library. She serves as an elected member of the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education, President of the Omaha Chapter of Nebraska AEYC, and represents the Omaha Chapter on the Nebraska AEYC Board of Directors as the current president-elect.

Maricela is the Bilingual Specialist for Early Learning Connection Educational Service Unit 10 in Kearney, and has been instrumental in Nebraska AEYC Leadership Academy's debut Spanish-speaking cohorts for the last two years. Her work has elevated the professionalism of child care providers across the early childhood system, beyond linguistic, cultural, and systemic barriers. She has initiated and led multiple high-impact projects, including the "Creciendo Juntos" Conference, a first-of-its-kind conference offered entirely in Spanish for early childhood educators and providers.

Learn more about our awards: nebraskaaeyc.org/awards

06/17/2026

¡Felicidades a Raquel Najera, Raquel Villazcas, Damaris Garcia y Elida Conjura por completar la serie de Liderazgo de NEAEYC!

Esta fue una serie de 9 meses de aprendizaje, crecimiento y compromiso con el liderazgo en la educación infantil. Gracias por su compromiso, dedicación y por seguir fortaleciendo sus habilidades para servir mejor a los niños, las familias y las comunidades.

También queremos agradecer a nuestras intérpretes, Ita Mendoza y Elpidia Novoa, por su valioso apoyo, y a nuestra facilitadora, Jill Snyder, por guiar este proceso.

Gracias a nuestros patrocinadores NEAEYC y Early Learning Connection Central Region por hacer posible esta oportunidad.

¡Sí se puede!

Congratulations to Raquel Najera, Raquel Villazcas, Damaris Garcia, and Elida Conjura for completing the NEAEYC Leadership Series!

This was a 9-month commitment focused on learning, growth, and leadership in early childhood education. Thank you for your dedication, commitment, and for continuing to strengthen your skills to better serve children, families, and communities.

We also want to thank our interpreters, Ita Mendoza and Elpidia Novoa, for their valuable support, and our facilitator, Jill Snyder, for guiding this process.

Thank you to our sponsors, NEAEYC and Early Learning Connection Central Region, for making this opportunity possible.

06/16/2026

Being a part of Give Nebraska has helped us spread awareness about our cause and raise money so we can continue to enhance the quality of life here in Nebraska. Thank you Give Nebraska!🩵

Learn more: givenebraska.org

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Kayla Munoz, the 2026 recipient of the Nebraska AEYC Emerging Leader Award!🏆🎉

Kayla is the owner and director of Las Abejitas Bilingual Education Center, which she founded in June 2023 with a focus on nature, hard work, and teamwork as important values for developing strong minds. The center aims to help students acquire fluency in Spanish and English through play, exploration, and instruction. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Education with an endorsement in Child, Youth, and Family Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kayla has enjoyed building relationships with students and their families, and partners with BraveBe Child Advocacy Center to offer trainings in Spanish. She continues to advocate for children through participation in Step Up To Quality, as well as the Access to Quality Care and Education work group through the Lincoln Early Childhood Network.

To learn more about Nebraska AEYC Awards, visit nebraskaaeyc.org/awards

06/02/2026

Child care providers protect our youngest children every single day—and that includes being ready when emergencies happen. 🧡

Lincoln Littles in Lincoln, Nebraska built a community-wide emergency preparedness system from scratch, connecting providers with real-time alerts, hands-on training, and the tools they need to keep kids safe in any situation.

Their story is a roadmap for what strong partnerships and a little determination can accomplish. Check it out.

https://hubs.li/Q04jLskb0

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Today is the day to give! We are kindly asking you to help us meet our goal of 50 donations of $50 each for in celebration of Nebraska AEYC's 50th anniversary!💙

For 50 years, you’ve helped us grow minds, strengthen families, and support those who care for our youngest learners. Today, you can help plant the seeds for the next 50.

👉 Give Today: givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/neaeyc

05/27/2026

Tomorrow is Lincoln's One Big Day of Giving!🚨 is an opportunity to support local nonprofits and all that they do for our community. We hope you come visit our table at Tower Square in Lincoln tomorrow from 10:30am-1:30pm, meet our team and consider helping our efforts to support the early childhood community!

👉Give now: givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/neaeyc

05/21/2026

One week until ! Our goal this year is to go 50 for 50!🌟

We are hoping for 50 donations of $50 each, in honor of us celebrating our 50th anniversary this year! If you have been a part of our history, benefited from one of the many programs that we have offered to our community, or you are an avid supporter of early childhood education like us, we kindly ask you today to help Nebraska AEYC meet our goal.💙

👉Give here: givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/neaeyc

05/14/2026