Today's Issue: Almond Mom Trend; Rockstar Teachers & Hidden Gaps; ECE in the News = 1 cup of coffee.

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📉 🥜 Have You Heard of the "Almond Mom" Trend?

The "almond mom" trend has been circulating on TikTok, and if you've been scrolling past it, this is your sign to pay attention. An "almond mom" is a parent who, often unknowingly, models disordered eating and promotes diet culture to their kids. Think extreme food restriction, body-shaming commentary, and a fear-based relationship with food passed down like a very unhealthy heirloom. Here's what matters for us: kids are in our care for a significant chunk of their waking hours. We have a real shot at modeling a healthy, shame-free relationship with food, and we should take that seriously. Every snack time counts.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE →

📊 QUICK POLL: What's Your Center Doing About Nutrition Education?

We're curious — how are you approaching food relationships in your classrooms? Let us know where your center stands!

🎒 📝 FEATURED: Your Best Teacher Might Be Making Your Worst One Look Good

By Jaime Rechkemmer, Aim4Impact Consulting

She's back, and this one hits close to home. One of our favorite guest writers just delivered something every ECE leader needs to hear. Jaime Rechkemmer is naming the thing most of us sense but rarely say: your strongest teacher may be quietly carrying your entire classroom — and burning out because of it.

Key Findings:

• 🔦 The Camouflage Effect — Great teachers fill gaps so seamlessly that leaders miss the fact that gaps exist. Is your classroom thriving because of your systems — or because of one exhausted person holding it all together?

• 💥 Rockstars Running on Empty — Strong teachers absorb extra work silently. They don't announce every fire they put out. Until the day they hand you their resignation — and you never saw it coming.

• ⚠️ Stop Making Competence the Punishment — If being excellent always means doing more, your best people will walk. Recognition is nice, but what they actually need is backup.

Immediate Takeaways:

1. Try the disappear test — mentally remove your top teacher for a week. Does the room still run? That answer tells you everything about your systems.

2. Ask the question most leaders never do: "What are you carrying right now that I may not see?" Then actually listen.

3. Watch who initiates, not just who shows up. Observation reveals what checklists never will.

The full article goes deeper — and trust us, you'll want to read every word.

👉 READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON OUR BLOG → Blog Link

🎙️ ALSO FROM JAIME — Don't Sleep on This!

She's hosting a live webinar on August 27, and if you've ever known exactly what needed to change but fumbled when the teacher crossed her arms and said "That's not what happened" — this is the one.

"Coaching That Sticks: What to Say When Teachers Resist Feedback"

Real talk. Real tools. Real conversations.

🔗 REGISTER HERE →

📰 ECE In The News

🔴 UCLA Is Closing Its Childcare Centers — And Parents Are Furious

Two of UCLA's early care centers — Krieger and University Village — are shutting down by June 2027 due to unsustainable operating costs. The centers serve roughly 200 families and employ about 45 staff, including 36 teachers. Faculty are outraged, saying there are virtually no alternatives for infant and toddler care near campus. A protest has already happened. A petition is circulating. This is the childcare crisis — not in a struggling rural county, but at one of the most well-funded universities in the country. Let that sink in. READ MORE →

🟢 Seattle Is Making a Bold Move Toward Universal Childcare

Seattle's Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) just announced a formal study on making universal childcare a citywide reality. Backed by $200,000 from the voter-approved FEPP Levy, researchers will dig into costs, capacity, workforce, quality, and equity — with results expected in at least 12 months. Seattle's Preschool Program has already earned four consecutive national gold medals. If any city has the receipts to pull this off, it's them. Watch this space. READ MORE →

🌐 The Internet is a Playground

🗓️ On This Day in History — August 18

In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified when Tennessee — by a single vote — became the 36th state to approve it. After 72 years of protest and perseverance, American women won the right to vote. The deciding vote was reportedly cast by a 24-year-old representative who changed his mind after receiving a note from his mother urging him to do the right thing. One mom's note. Changed history. Classroom Tip: Talk to the kiddos about what it means to use your voice — even the youngest children are forming ideas about fairness and speaking up.

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

Is there a topic you want more info on or want to share a funny story? Then let us know! Shoot us a quick email at [email protected]. This newsletter is for you, and well, you should have a say, don't’ you think?