The Council is excited and honored to have a relationship with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Community, who has for years prepared students with skills to actively pursue their career goals after High School graduation. It is through the Family and Consumer Sciences program, that students are gaining the knowledge and experience to successfully apply and earn their CDA Credential. An achievement that just a few short years ago was only offered to adults.
On Friday, September 27, 2013 at the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children 
(FLAEYC) conference, Council CEO Dr. Valora Washington and Manager of Partnerships, Brocklin Qualls, had the pleasure of meeting Nicole Hodock. Nicole is a recent graduate of Durant High School in Hillsborough County Florida. She was also one the first students in her High 
School Career and Technical Program to pursue her CDA Credential, a decision she attributes to her instructor Katherine James. Nicole says that Ms. James encouraged her, along with many other students, to apply for their CDA Credential.
Nicole’s favorite part of the Family Consumer Sciences program at Durant High School was, “planning lessons, interacting with the children and forming relationships. There were a lot of returning children each year, so you really got to know them – it was a lot of fun!”
Speaking with Nicole over-the-phone it is clear, that she is a very bright young lady and very enthusiastic about the education field. With her CDA Credential under her belt, Nicole is now attending the University of South Florida, in St. Petersburg, majoring in Elementary School Education. Nicole said having her CDA “absolutely” prepared her to pursue her Bachelors degree, stating, “Already having background (in early childhood education) has really helped.”
When asked what advice she would give to High School students in the CTE Family and Consumer Sciences program, she had this to say, “It is a great experience to see how much you learn, it’s a lot of work but stay on top of it and make it your own. It is a great achievement (for a High School student); especially since it is an adult program. It will give you more background and more experience.”
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Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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