Men in Education (M.E.N.) Network Interest Forum invites men and women to its annual meeting. Take the time to learn and share information on a variety of activities for men, fathers, and others who have an impact on the lives of young children. Learn about what’s happening in the USA, and internationally (particularly Germany and Norway). Find out how to recruit more men to your program, and how to support and retain men you already have. Help set the future agenda for the interest forum, have fun, and make new friends!

Two awards will be given out at the conference.

Champion for Men and Children Award goes to a man or woman that has made significant contribution to furthering our efforts to increase the number of men working with children. The recipient does not work directly with children.

Leader of Men and Children Award goes to a man that works directly with children and has made significant contribution to furthering the efforts to increase the number of men working with children.

This is a fun event to celebrate you! Join us in celebrating the different identities that make up our organization. The Celebration of Diversity mission is to build more visibility, support, membership and leadership roles for the groups they represent both within the organization and the ECE field. These eight NAEYC Interest Forums (IF) include: Asian IF, Black Caucus IF, Diversity & Equity IF, Family Child Care IF, Latino Caucus IF, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender IF, Men in Education Network IF and the Tribal and Indigenous Early Childhood Network IF.

Some of the workshops at the conference being offered:

  • Strategies for offering simple and logical support to men who work in ECE
  • A few good men in a Head Start program
  • “Men belong”: Networking opportunities for male teachers to promote recruitment and retention
  • Man in the mirror: Reflecting on past practices to better serve young learners

See Conference Information