The Council was very busy at this past NAEYC Professional Development Institute - from the Opening Plenary, during which CEO Valora Washington presented a CDA to the first high school Candidate in the country to receive the credential (see related article) to the Council staff's many sessions, receptions and booths at both the Spotlight Forum and the Exhibits Hall. Institute participants – ECE leaders from around the world - were buzzing about CDA 2.0, Council partnership opportunities and the upcoming role of the Professional Development Specialist.

Washington, along with Susan Brenner, Bright Horizons Children's Centers; Mary Ellen Pratt, US Military; and Gayle Cunningham, Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, presented a session highlighting some of the successful partnerships the Council has undertaken that support Candidates in receiving and maintaining their CDAs.

Council staff held a series of well-attended receptions throughout the Institute that facilitated dialogues with various members of the CDA national community including Council Representatives, training organizations, Spanish speakers and those interested in learning more about CDA 2.0 and PD Specialists.

The session receiving the most attention was facilitated by Mary LaMantia, Manager of the PD Specialist Program. Institute participants were spilling into the hallway to listen to Mary and Council staff explain the early details of CDA 2.0. Members of the CDA community were delighted to hear that the Council will be issuing a free Transition Guide that explains all of the final details of the new credentialing process later this summer.

Perhaps the best way to sum up the Council's overwhelmingly positive experience at PDI came the next day in the form of an email from an Institute participant:

I thoroughly enjoyed all the CDA sessions at the PDI Institute and of course immensely enjoyed meeting the staff in person - What wonderful professionals committed to uplifting and bettering the CDA credential and the CDA experience. I was very impressed with the level of professional discourse and presentation that the CDA Council staff upheld. Their knowledge and dedication to the field and to the Council program were quite evident! What an excellent team – every single one of you!

The revitalization and improved professional offerings from the CDA Council are wonderful and very much appreciated. I certainly appreciated the opportunity to share ideas and to listen to all the exciting new CDA development planned for CDA 2.0! I really believe in your statement that "It's the best first step!"

Blue skies!

Christine Belinda
Penn State Better Kid Care