I just walked in the door from the 44th Annual RI Early Childhood Conference, held this year at Bryant University. This conference is the most significant event conducted each year in RI that is dedicated to the continuing education of early childhood educators and professionals. I saw quite a few familiar friends, and made some new ones. This was the 4th year that I've been a vendor there, but it was the first time I've been a presenter. My workshop was about Open Source software, and how it can help RI small businesses, non-profits, and others stretch their IT budgets.

Each year I'm surprised that no one in the press ever seems to be there to cover this event. The few men and many women who attend are heroes, at least in my mind. I love what I do, and I think I'm good at it, but I admire these other men and women because I could never do what they do. I realized when my own children were young just how much I depended on the early childhood professionals who helped me raise my kids while I was working, and I don't think they ever get enough credit for what they do. So, I urge you to tell your child's own classroom teachers just how much you value their service.