Recently, the Council broadened its requirements to allow applications from high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in an early childhood education vocational program. This opens up the possibility that the CDA credential will become available to a whole new population. 

Council President/CEO Valora Washington visited one such program in eastern Ohio — the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center. At this center, a group of about 25 high school juniors and seniors are already using Council books and tools as part of their curricula. Teacher Julie Pagnotta is thrilled that the students will now be able to apply for their actual CDAs since they already "do the work."

Students proudly showed Valora their resource files and other materials. To obtain their hours working with children, the Carrer Center had an integrated  preschool center with typically developing and special needs children that was adjacent to their spacious classroom. Across the hall from them was a classroom for infants and toddlers.  

Student ShoMore Deniro (pictured) and about 17 of her classmates participated in a seminar led by Valora that included 250 preschool and kindergarten teachers or administrators from four Ohio counties. Miss Deniro, a senior, intends to attend Youngstown State University next year as an early childhood education major. "I can't wait to be a preschool teacher!" she said.