Nicole Reynoso weighs in on the challenges educators, parents and students face and why she remains hopeful.
As someone with over a decade of experience in early childhood education, I’m deeply concerned — for the profession, the children and the future we’re shaping, often unintentionally, through inaction. It’s a troubling time to be in this field if you value education, diversity and empathy. Every day, I witness the widening gap between what our leaders say and what is actually happening in classrooms across America. We hear promises about putting children and families first, but for many educators and parents, those words ring hollow.
I’m scared — not just for myself and my colleagues, who often struggle to afford groceries, rent and basic necessities—but for the next generation. What kind of world are we handing them? One with more climate change, increased reliance on AI, and a flood of misinformation that’s hard to escape. We are raising children in a system that’s stretched thin, underfunded, and often overlooked.
I talk with parents every day who are just as worried. Budget cuts are slashing through already limited resources. Class sizes are growing. Behavioral challenges are becoming more complex. And yet, the support systems— therapists, aides, specialists — are dwindling. We’re expected to do more with less, and it’s our children who pay the price. This isn’t a complaint; it’s a call to awareness.
But I still have hope. I believe in the power of young people rising up in. I believe in the strength of collective voices demanding better. We can begin to change not just the future—but the present. So, I ask: Are we willing to trade away empathy, care and quality education for short-term convenience? It’s time to speak up for what children and their educators truly deserve. With a Perspective, I’m Nicole Reynoso.