My CDA journey began in 1985, when I was a classroom teacher at Taylor County Head Start program. I was the first person to receive a CDA in my town, and 535th person to receive a CDA in the nation. Even then, I knew that CDA was a precious God-given gift that would enable me to make a difference in the lives around me.
I was chosen in 1986 to attend Advisor’s Training through Elmira College, where I was trained to be a CDA Advisor. I then began serving as advisor for my co-workers.
In 1989, I became the first CDA trainer for the Taylor County School District Title I program, helping the first CDAs in the District. I later opened my own business called “Elizabeth Bines Training Center,” and I began meeting the needs of teachers at the local child care, pre-k, and Head Start programs. I still continued as a classroom teacher at the Head Start.
Today, I am no longer in the classroom, but I continue to train others, and serve as an advisor in my town of Perry, Florida. Since receiving my CDA in 1985, I now am a licensed State of Florida Advanced Director. I received my A.S. Degree in Early Childhood from North Florida Jr. College, B.S. Degree in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix, and will receive my Masters Degree in Education and Teacher Leadership from University of Phoenix, on June 4, 2011.
The CDA motivated me to make a difference in the lives of others and it made a profound difference in my own life. I am continuing to prepare teachers for excellence through CDA in Perry, Florida, in Taylor County. I once heard: “They said it couldn’t be done, but we couldn’t say so until we tried” — that’s what is happening with CDA. In Taylor County, we tried and we succeeded!
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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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