Robert Sanchez is the new executive director for the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. He was born in raise in Nampa, traveled the world in the military and has returned to Idaho to help improve opportunities for all children. Read his profile.

Here are his thoughts on Idaho education:

Why did you leave Idaho Business Education (IBE) for the Idaho Association for the Education of  Young Children (AEYC)?

I transitioned from IBE to AEYC because I believe in the transformative power of early childhood education and the crucial roles parents, caregivers and educators play in this process. Early childhood education prepares children to learn, grow and succeed, and you only get one chance at childhood to learn the fundamentals – how to count, how to talk, how to think. My time at IBE was incredibly rewarding, particularly in promoting early childhood literacy and student achievement. However, I saw a unique opportunity at AEYC to directly influence the foundational stages of education by empowering parents, caregivers and educators as partners in a child’s development. AEYC’s Early Learning Collaboratives exemplify how the organization enhances early learning across Idaho, providing tailored solutions that truly make a difference.

What do you hope to accomplish at AEYC?

I aim to build on the organization’s strong foundation and further develop our programs. My goals include:

1. Enhancing Program Quality: Continuously improving our programs to meet the highest standards and adapt to the evolving needs of our communities. Initiatives like the Idaho School Readiness Project bring essential resources to parents, early childhood educators, and communities, ensuring comprehensive support for children. Additionally, our training programs offer extensive resources to early educators, significantly enhancing program quality statewide.
2. Strengthening Organizational Culture: Fostering a supportive and empowering environment for our staff and the families we serve. AEYC’s initiatives, such as the Early Learning Collaboratives, allow local communities to create early learning solutions that work best for them, ensuring a culture of respect and empowerment. Our centers create nurturing environments that support both educators and families, emphasizing the importance of a strong organizational culture.
3. Advocating for Policy Changes: Working with policymakers to secure support and resources for early childhood education. The Ready Idaho Coalition is dedicated to creating connected early childhood systems that prepare Idaho children for a successful start in school and life by advocating for necessary policy changes to support early learning.
4. Building Strong Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses, educational institutions, community organizations, parents, caregivers, and educators to extend our reach and impact. AEYC’s Employer Business Toolkit helps business owners establish and maintain childcare resources for their employees, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can support working families.

Ultimately, my vision is to ensure that every child in Idaho has the support and opportunities they need to succeed in school and life, with parents, caregivers, and educators playing a central role in this success.

 What could we do better to educate all children?

Idaho is already making significant strides in early childhood education, but there are always opportunities for improvement:

1. Teacher Support: Providing ongoing professional development to keep our early childhood educators equipped with the latest teaching strategies. Our workshops and training sessions ensure educators stay updated with the latest educational practices. The IdahoSTARS Professional Development System offers extensive training opportunities to early educators, further enhancing their skills.
2. Parental and Caregiver Engagement: Actively involving parents and caregivers in their child’s early education to foster a supportive learning environment at home and in childcare settings. Our early learning initiatives engage parents through community events and educational workshops, helping them support their children’s learning.
3. Early Intervention: Offering programs to support children who need extra help early on. Our early intervention programs provide targeted support for young children showing signs of learning difficulties, ensuring they receive the help they need before starting kindergarten.
4. Community Engagement: Involving the community to create a supportive learning environment. Local businesses partner with us to offer resources and support for early childhood education programs, demonstrating how community involvement can enhance educational outcomes.
5. Developing Essential Skills: Integrating these skills into early childhood curricula to support overall well-being and academic success. Our programs focus on essential skills development, helping children develop critical life skills such as effective communication, decision making, time management, critical thinking and reasoning, etc. By focusing on these areas and recognizing the critical role of parents, caregivers and educators, we can create an early childhood education system that helps all children reach their full potential.

What does Idaho do well in its education of all children?

Idaho excels in several key areas of early childhood education:

1. Community Involvement: Strong participation from local communities, parents, caregivers and educators enhances the educational experience. Our initiatives bring together community members to support early childhood education and encourage active participation from parents and local organizations.
2. Early Childhood Programs: Programs like the Early Learning Collaboratives ensure high-quality early learning experiences. These programs provide comprehensive support to childcare providers, improving the quality of care across the state. Our early learning programs offer resources and activities that support early development.
3. Local Control: Schools and early childhood programs can tailor their approaches to meet the unique needs of their communities, ensuring that solutions are relevant and effective. Our approach to local control allows for the development of programs that meet the specific needs of their young children and community.
4. School-Business Collaboration: Partnerships with local businesses provide valuable learning experiences for young children. Our collaborations with local businesses offer resources and support for early childhood education programs, demonstrating effective school-business partnerships.
5. College and Career Readiness: Programs prepare older students for success beyond high school, equipping them with the skills needed for their future careers. Our college and career readiness programs provide students with the resources and support they need to plan for their futures.

By building on these strengths and recognizing the unique influence of parents, caregivers, and educators, Idaho continues to provide a robust and effective educational system for all young children.

How can Idaho better serve minority families and children who live in poverty?

Too many Idaho families are struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. The cost of everyday life – including childcare – is too expensive and rising every day. Parents often have to work a second job just to make ends meet, and that means spending less time with their kids. Parents need more time with their children to instill the values and skills they view as important, not less. Idaho is committed to serving all its children, and we can further this mission by:

1. Increasing Funding for Underserved Schools: Ensuring schools in low-income areas have the resources they need. We are dedicated to securing additional funding to improve facilities and provide more resources for students in need.
2. Expanding Early Childhood Education: Providing more opportunities for high-quality early learning programs. Our community partnerships expand access to early childhood education, ensuring that more children can attend high-quality preschool programs.
3. Parental and Caregiver Engagement: Creating programs that actively involve parents and caregivers in their children’s education, providing them with the tools and resources they need. Our community-based programs support early learning at home through workshops and home visitations that provide guidance on fostering a learning-friendly environment.
4. Support Services: Offering counseling, health care, and after-school programs. We provide comprehensive support services, including health care and counseling, to students and families. These services help address the broader needs of students, ensuring they have the support necessary for academic success and overall well-being.

Investment in preschool-age children results in direct returns for our state and communities. The more we invest in preschool-age children now, the more they will give back later in life. By focusing on these areas, Idaho can better serve minority families and children living in poverty, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

 If you could change one thing, what would you change?

If I could change one thing, it would be to ensure that every child has access to high-quality, early-childhood education in Idaho. Early-childhood education is the foundation upon which all future learning is built. By making high-quality early learning accessible to every child, regardless of their socio-economic status, we can set the stage for lifelong success. This change would involve increased funding, enhanced community partnerships and comprehensive support systems to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very beginning.