Through the years, educational systems in the United States have experienced great change. The one-room schoolhouse is now uncommon, but in years past it was the norm. Changes in society have brought about demands for early care and education systems that were not needed or provided as recently as 100 or even 20 years ago. Families today need and deserve high-quality care and education for infants and toddlers. Research is clear that care and education cannot be thought of as separate entities in dealing with young children. Individuals working with infants and toddlers are teachers! They play a significant role in the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of the children in their care. The roles of infant and toddler teachers are both challenging and rewarding. How are teachers to meet the daily demands of their jobs and yet form positive nurturing relationships with the children? This article suggests that teachers of very young children need physical stamina, a sense of humor, and knowledge of the 3 R's (Respect, Response, and Relationship) of high-quality infant and toddler care and education.