It is an honor to write my first Editorial for the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education Volume 45 Number 1! As always, this issue is filled with impactful articles prepared by experts in the field of early childhood teacher education. I sincerely appreciate the confidence in my abilities to lead the journal and our Editorial Board in the next four years (2024-2027).
As some of you know, I have been a JECTE Editorial Board Member since 2003 when I joined under the Editorship of Dr. Leslie Williams. Since then, I have had the opportunity to learn from a variety of amazing Editors and fellow Board Members and make some contributions to our journal. My passion for editing led me to Guest Edit/Co-Edit three JECTE Special Issues (Macy & Szente, 2021; Szente, 2019; Szente, 2009). These editing experiences enabled me to familiarize myself with our online submission system; work closely with authors and reviewers; maintain a tight schedule of publications; and collaborate closely with editorial teams.
For nearly 30 years, I have held a variety of leadership roles at the local, state, national, and international levels, but my most memorable experiences have always included working with a team of scholars; reflecting on current practices and emerging trends; and seeing through publications from the brainstorming stage to holding printed copies in our hands.
As new Editor-in-Chief, I hope to build upon the rich history and strengths of the journal and NAECTE while looking into new trends, needs, and events in the field of early childhood teacher education and publishing. I am very excited about future JECTE Special Issues that will serve as meaningful resources in our field. Please be on the lookout for upcoming Calls for Publications in Special Issues.
Being a scholar whose first language in not English, I understand some of the challenges that international scholars experience when trying to publish in US journals. I hope to brainstorm some ways with fellow Board Members to create a mentorship opportunity for international scholars as well as doctoral students and new assistant professors. Further, serving as a Guest Editor a few times made me appreciate having a long list of reviewers that we can turn to during the review process. I hope to work on our Reviewer List and update it with possibly new areas of specialties and new scholars. I also look forward to working with current and future JECTE Editorial Board Members during my term in the next four years.
As I complete my first Editorial, I want to express my sincere appreciation to our outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Karen LaParo. She led JECTE and our Editorial Board for eight years and made a lasting impact on our field. Over the past year, she worked closely with me and the editorial team to ensure a smooth transition. During our monthly or sometimes even more frequent meetings, she shared her invaluable experiences and wisdom with me. Thank you Dr. LaParo for all you have done for our journal and our field! We look forward to having you continue to enrich the journal through your JECTE Editorial Board Membership.
Warm regards,