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The award recognizes Boucher for helping to improve early education programs and training across the state for children ages birth to 5. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized by a group that is distinguished in our community,” Boucher said in a statement. “These leaders share my strong value and commitment to early childhood issues.”
The Connecticut Commission on Children reports that 80 percent of what a child learns is acquired from birth to age 5.
“An investment in this age group will give us the greatest return and help us close the widest in the nation achievement gap,” she said.
This was not the first time Boucher was honored for her advocacy for early childhood issues. Last year, she was chosen as a 2012 Children’s Champion by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for demonstrating a strong level of commitment to early childhood through leadership on policy issues during the 2012 legislative session and for her active involvement on local early childhood initiatives, including introducing legislation aimed at improving outcomes for young children centering on health, nutrition and safety.
Boucher is a ranking member of both the General Assembly’s Education Committee and Higher Education Committee. She is a former Wilton Board of Education chairman and was a State Board of Education commissioner.
Boucher also helped to bring Stepping Stones Museum for Children to Norwalk by working with the museum’s founders.
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