"Just" - The Most Dangerous Word in ECE

What happens when we put the word “just” in front of our work?Recorded live at the Gulf Coast Early Childhood Summer Symposium, Jessica and Venay sit down with educator, speaker, and advocate Rachel Giannini to unpack one small word with a surprisingly big impact. Together, they explore why early childhood professionals often minimize their roles, how language shapes the way we value our profession, and why recognizing your own expertise is an important part of advocacy.Because you’re not just a teacher. And the work you do is anything but small. Key Takeaways:Drop the “just.” Your role and your work matter.Own your expertise. Early educators know this field from the inside.Your voice is advocacy. Change requires educators to speak up.Words shape value. How we describe our work influences how others see it.Children know your worth. To them, you have never been “just” their teacher.