It really does take a village.

April 28 - May 4 was proclaimed as Early Childhood Educator Week in the City of Portage la Prairie by Portage Mayor Sharilyn Knox.

Sydney Dubetz-Zacharias, the Executive Director of Wee World Daycare and the Mackenzie Knight Center, was on hand for the proclamation. She says that this recognition from the mayor goes a long way to making the  educators feel seen and heard.

"We are very proud of our field and to be able to share that with everyone and have the acknowledgement that our staff deserve."

Dubetz-Zacharias notes that being an Early Childhood Educator is rewarding.

"We love our jobs and being able to guide children and watch them grow. We are shaping the community as they grow up."

Dubetz-Zacharias is a board member of the Manitoba Child Care Association Central Region and says that the spotlight is not something that these educators are used to, and praise can take them by surprise.

"We still fight to be seen as a real profession. We are so proud of every little thing we do and never take it for granted."

She explains that loving your job and working through the challenges is part of the position.

"We have a very important job," she continues. "We have amazing teams, and I'm proud of them every day."

Dubetz-Zacharias notes that daycares in town have events this week to get together and celebrate Early Childhood Educators.