Invisible Child: A Spotlight on Life in the Shadows
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
I started working at the University of Dubuque Childcare Center in October of 2009. I was hired as a floater to work with three age groups, Infants, 
Toddlers, and Twos. In August of 2010, I was assigned to work as the Infant room assistant. I was so excited that I was fortunate enough to work with the age group I had wanted. I was content and happy but our childcare center was expanding due to the need for more room. This meant that there was going to be a need for more lead teachers. The teacher I was working with encouraged me to possibly pursue additional education. She thought I would make “a great CDA”, and this was an opportunity I shouldn’t pass up.
I took her advice and enrolled in the Care Courses classes online. I worked full time and did my classes nightly. I worked on my Resource file nearly every day, and completed the additional tasks as well in a matter of 7 months. I was promoted to Lead Infant Room Teacher in August of 2011 (the teacher I worked with took a position with the toddlers). I am so happy that I went through the whole process and thankful that I have co-workers who think highly of me and gave me the confidence I needed. On October 13, 2011, I found out that I received my CDA credential. What a rewarding feeling. All my hard work paid off. Now I tell others about the CDA program and what a great opportunity it is. Many, many thanks to the Council for Professional Recognition.
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CDA® Advisory Committee Continues to Provide Guidance to the Council
The CDA Advisory Committee was created to provide insights, perspectives, and best practices to the CDA community and other early childhood professionals. Established during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the members’ first-hand experiences...
Council Alumni Network: A Place Where Connectivity Happens
Where can you connect with CDA® holders and the wide range of folks who serve them? Turn to the Council Alumni Network (CAN), an online community that brings together current and past CDA earners, CDA...
Catch Some Rays (and Professional Development Hours) this Summer!
Professional development is absolutely critical to your success, as well as the success of all the children in your care. Not to mention in most states, you’re required to complete a minimum number of training...
Reflecting, Regrouping and Reenergizing
This month marks my second year at the Council for Professional Recognition. When I first arrived at the Council, I was no stranger to the organization or its mission, as I had been involved with...
A Big Dream that Begins Small: Building Empathy in the Early Childhood Classroom
Schools are microcosms of the world beyond their walls. Factors like race, culture, class and gender set the stage for what takes place in our schools as learners from different groups interact. The conflicts that...
Helping Children Embrace Their Resiliency
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CDA® Advisory Committee Learns About Professional Development Offerings
Finding informative and trusted early childhood educator resources online can be a challenge. That’s why the CDA® Advisory Committee met virtually to learn more about the nonprofit, The Source for Learning (SFL) and its ECE...
Navigating Your Career Path
Each year I update my professional bio and pause at the part where it says, “Rachel Robertson has worked in the field for over X years”. Not because I can’t believe it or can’t remember,...