MEDIA RELEASE: Rick Glazier, Executive Director of the NC Justice Center, Recognized for Early Education Leadership

The NC Child Care Coalition honors five leaders for their advocacy for early childhood education

RALEIGH (Friday, April 7, 2016) — Rick Glazier, Executive Director of the NC Justice Center, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NC Child Care Coalition this week for his leadership and advocacy for early childhood education.

The NC Child Care Coalition recognized five outstanding legislators at its 4th Annual Early Education Forum on April 6, including Glazier, Senator Tamara Barringer, Rep. Josh Dobson, Rep. Chris Malone, and Senator Jeff Jackson. Over 160 early education professionals, teachers, business leaders, and elected officials attended the event that focused on issues facing the early education teaching workforce.

“Each of these legislators has championed early education and made it a top priority for their work in the NC General Assembly,” said Michele Rivest, NC Child Care Coalition Executive Director. “There are thousands of young children and their families who have had access to high quality early education as a result of their tireless efforts. We are deeply grateful to their commitment to advance our young children’s development, early learning, and future success in school and in life.”

Former Rep. Glazier served in the NC General Assembly for 13 years as a state representative from Cumberland County. There he served on numerous Committees and in several leadership roles, including Minority Whip and co-chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee. During his time in the legislature, Rep. Glazier championed early education issues including Smart Start and NC Pre-K, and consistently prioritized the needs of children and families in his district and throughout North Carolina, for which he has received numerous awards. In 2015, Rick resigned from the legislature to serve as the new Executive Director of the NC Justice Center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Michele Rivest, ncchildcarecoalition@gmail.com, 919-218-0224 (cell); Julia Hawes, julia@ncjustice.org, 919.863.2406.