JACKSON, Wyo. — The heart of Teton County continues to beat through the hands of its youngest learners, and the educators who guide them. Champions for Children proudly hosted the third annual EMpowerED: Celebrating the Power of Early Childhood Educators Symposium on Thursday, October 16th, at SpringHill Suites, honoring the professionals who nurture, teach, and inspire our community’s youngest minds.
The evening featured a keynote address from Natalia D. Macker, Teton County Commissioner, mother, and early childhood education advocate. Macker spoke about the challenges of ensuring broad access to early childhood education, as well as the profound impacts early educators have had on her as a working mother of three. Her enduring message as a community leader: Early Childhood Education is a priority for Teton County, and the educators present are the inspiration for that focus.
This year’s Early Childhood Educator Awards recognized three extraordinary leaders whose dedication, compassion, and innovation have made a lasting impact on children and families across the valley:
- Elite Educator ($2,500): Joy Anderson, Moose Corner Children’s Academy
- Elite Educator ($2,500): Rilla Ferreria, Children’s Learning Center
- Childhood Champion ($5,000): Maria Del Rosario Vasquez, Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools
“These educators represent the best of what early childhood education can be,” said Colby Mitchell, Backbone Leader of Expanded Learning Collective. “Their work reaches far beyond the classroom—it strengthens families, empowers children, and shapes the future of Teton County.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of Noa & Ted Staryk, State Farm Agent Katie Murphy, and the Education for Our Futures Endowment Fund, whose commitment to early education ensures that local teachers are recognized and celebrated for the critical role they play in our community’s success.
Originally founded as a collaboration between Children’s Learning Center, Jackson Hole Children’s Museum, and Teton Literacy Center, Champions for Children has grown into a broader movement to uplift early learning professionals through recognition, resources, and advocacy.
For more information about the EMpowerED Symposium and this year’s honorees, visit www.championsforchildrenjh.com/empowered-symposium.
Champions for Children celebrates the impact of early childhood educators. CFC is managed under the Expanded Learning Collective, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, and was founded by Children’s Learning Center, Jackson Hole Children’s Museum, and Teton Literacy Center. Together, these organizations honor exceptional educators and support high-quality, accessible out-of-school learning opportunities for every child in Teton County.
Learn more at https://championsforchildrenjh.com/teacheroes/. For more information, please contact Colby Mitchell at cmitchell@cfjacksonhole.org.
