Early Educators’ Voices: Why and How Did We Co-design Research That Translates To Systems Change?

Early educators are the backbone of child development and school readiness yet their voices are often missing from the policy decisions that directly impact their professional lives. This session will guide state leaders, agency representatives, and policy stakeholders through a framework for designing and implementing qualitative research that centers the lived experiences of early childhood professionals. Participants will learn how to design research that engages early educators as co-investigators; adopt interviews, focus groups, and storytelling methods that value cultural, linguistic, and community context; and translate findings into actionable workforce policy. Hear directly from members of Wisconsin’s early education workforce as they share their experience serving as research co-investigators and highlight their current role as steering committee members advocating for equitable policies and collaborating with state leaders.