Come As You Are, Share a Part of You

Dear NNSTOY Family,

One of the best things about this network is how much we learn from one another, often beyond our formal roles and areas of expertise.

We've been so excited to see folks registering for tomorrow evening's Grown-Up Show & Tell! There is no pressure and no formal presentation required. Share a classroom practice, a hobby, something you have learned recently, or anything else you'd like to share with our NNSTOY family. You are also welcome to just come, listen, and spend time with the community.

Next Tuesday, September 15, Ali Jun, our 2026 Nevada Teacher of the Year, will lead the next session in our professional learning series with NEA. We’re excited to learn from Ali and hope you’ll join us. Register for her session here.

With new information released yesterday, Policy Corner focuses on the proposed changes to Head Start. We are also looking for members to join an NNSTOY panel on October 3. If you work with Head Start in your school, district, or state, or have experienced the program as an educator or parent, please reach out to Tracey. We want our conversation to be grounded in the experiences of people who know the program and its impact firsthand.

There are several ways to connect with NNSTOY in the weeks ahead. I hope you’ll find one that feels right for you.

In Service,

LouAnn, Tracey, & the NNSTOY Board of Directors

Policy Corner: What Teacher Leaders Are Watching

Head Start is More Than a Preschool Program

On September 8, HHS announced more than $225 million in supplemental Head Start funding for nutrition, facility improvements, transportation, technology, staff training, and other immediate needs. That investment is good news for programs serving young children and families. But it comes as HHS considers a sweeping rewrite of the standards that shape what Head Start provides and how programs protect children.

The proposed rule would remove or weaken many national requirements governing class sizes, staff qualifications, health screenings, family engagement, services for children with disabilities, and other supports. It would require most instruction to be conducted in English, even in classrooms serving dual-language learners, and would reduce the allowable administrative-cost cap from 15% to 5%. HHS’s own analysis shows that only 3.7% of Head Start grants currently operate at or below that level. These are not simply paperwork changes: they could affect the staff, systems, and safeguards that make Head Start a comprehensive early-childhood program rather than childcare alone.

Head Start has always connected learning with health, nutrition, family support, and access to services. Educators and community members—especially those with direct Head Start experience—can help ensure those strengths are not lost in the name of “flexibility.” Public comments are due October 6 under docket ACF-2026-0595. Read the proposal and submit a comment through the Federal Register.

The supplemental awards include $89 million for nutrition, more than $88 million for facilities, and more than $47 million for other one-time needs. Read the HHS funding announcement.

What Teacher Leaders Can Do !!!

Have you seen Head Start’s impact firsthand? NNSTOY is planning a virtual Head Start panel for Saturday, October 3, and we want to hear from education leaders and members who work with Head Start in their schools, districts, or states, or who have experienced the program as an educator or parent. Panelists will help others understand why Head Start matters and share their perspectives on the proposed federal changes. If you are interested in joining the conversation as a panelist, please connect with Tracey at tracey@nnstoy.org.

UPCOMING NNSTOY OPPORTUNITIES



One of the best parts of being an NNSTOY member is learning alongside teacher leaders from across the country. Mark your calendar for these upcoming opportunities to connect, collaborate, and continue growing together. Where applicable, registration links are in blue!

• Thursday, September 10 | Grown-Up Show & Tell

Take a break from the day-to-day and spend an hour with your fellow NNSTOY members. Bring something meaningful, interesting, or just plain fun to share during this informal virtual gathering designed for laughing, cheering, and community building. It can be a personal item or a classroom/professional idea you'd like to share! Grab your favorite beverage for this session and be sure to tell your NNSTOY friends you're attending! Tracey will email the zoom link to all who register on Thursday!

• Tuesday, September 15 | NEA–NNSTOY Professional Learning Series: Reignite—Back to School, Back to Purpose: Reclaiming the Joy of Teaching

NNSTOY's Ali Jun will lead this session about educator joy. Reconnect with the purpose that brought you into education and leave with practical tools to begin the school year with renewed energy.

• Tuesday, September 29 | NEA–NNSTOY Professional Learning Series: Thrive—Sustaining It: Habits, Boundaries, and Community for the Long Haul

Don't miss time with Dr. De'Shawn Washington! He'll help attendees discover habits and strategies that support educator well-being and help sustain your work throughout the school year.

• Saturday, October 3 | Tentative NNSTOY Head Start Panel

Uplifting expert, teacher, and parent voice around the proposed changes to Head Start is critical. Public comments are due by October 6, after which policy-makers will make their decisions. Reach out to Tracey if you're interested in joining this virtual panel or if you know someone who might be!

• Sunday, November 1 | Proposals for the National Teacher Hall of Fame Summit Due

The National Teachers Hall of Fame is seeking proposals for its 2027 Education Summit, “Celebrating Our Profession, Inspiring Our Future,” taking place June 28–30 at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. Educators are invited to propose interactive workshops, 20-minute Burst sessions, or poster sessions focused on teacher and student leadership. Learn more about it here.

• Sunday–Wednesday, July 11–14, 2027 | National Teacher Leadership Conference 2027 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Save the date! We're looking forward to gathering in person for four days of learning, collaboration, and connection with teacher leaders from across the country. We can't wait to welcome the NNSTOY family to Las Vegas next summer.

Not a member yet?



If you're a finalist or awardee for State Teacher of the Year from any U.S. state or territory, you're eligible to join NNSTOY as a member. Educators, community partners, and supporters who believe in teacher leadership can join us as a Friend of NNSTOY. We'd love to have you as part of our community. Be sure to share this newsletter & link with your state chapters and new awardees!

NNSTOY thrives because of the support of donors like you! Please consider donating to NNSTOY to ensure that great programs and opportunities keep coming your way!

Thank You, NNSTOY Sponsors ❤️❤️❤️

We could not have a successful orgnaization without the continued support of our sponsors. Many thanks to Voya, Equitable, the Association of American Educators, NEA, the NEA Foundation, AFT, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, iTeach, the Parent Institute for Quality Education, the College Foodball Playoff Foundation, and New Politics Academy.