ACEI Student Membership: An Investment in Your Future.

After meeting with some students in the process of revitalizing our local branch, I felt that I needed to get ACEI's message out to more people. Specifically, I want to reach students and university professors who can inspire students to become ACEI members. Belonging to a professional organization as a student is a vital part of one's future career. I cannot emphasize enough how much one can benefit from being an active member in ACEI, the oldest professional organization of its kind in the world. By paying your dues, a world of opportunities will open up for you.

If you are a student, that $26 is the best investment you can make toward your future as a professional. You will be part of a family that cares about children more than anything else. These members all work together to educate the children throughout the world in the best possible ways they can. I can guarantee that this experience is an experience for a lifetime. You will not only be able to read an award-winning professional journal, Childhood Education, throughout the year, but also have the opportunity to publish your ideas and experiences or make your voice heard in the Student Connection newsletter. This newsletter is published twice a year by and for students.

In addition to publishing opportunities, student membership gives you a chance to build your leadership abilities by joining our Student Committee and helping us create new goals for the years to come. You can join your local ACEI branch and volunteer to be on its board. If you do not have a branch nearby, you can start one. Please contact Headquarters for more information. By organizing Branch events, you can get involved in your community and help children and their families.

At the annual ACEI conferences, you will have the opportunity to present at different sessions: concurrent, Hall of Excellence, or Student Make 'n Take. These opportunities will not only build your resume, but also give you more experiences as a future leader. And don't forget that ACEI recognizes and honors students who are outstanding members. There are two awards, the Elizabeth Breathwaite Student Leadership Award and the President Council's Award, that are given to students each year. Please do not wait to get involved--find out today how you can grow as a professional.

Finally, I would like to thank all the student branch advisers and student mentors who introduced their students to our organization. Please continue your hard work and inspire your students to become ACEI members, and encourage them to follow in your footsteps as leaders in education.

--Judit Szente, Student Representative

Welcome To ACEI!

Please join Headquarters as we welcome ACEI's newest University Student Branches:

Milligan College, Tennessee Maverick ACEI, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas

Also, please welcome ACEI's first high school student Branch:

Academy Pride ACEI, Kingsville, Texas