Consider for a moment these everyday activities; inviting parents to volunteer in your classroom, recommending breastfeeding resources, or talking about child development milestones with friends and family. While perhaps unconventional, these activities are everyday advocacy! Advocacy, which is too often viewed merely as a political tool, can be so much more; it includes speaking for, supporting or defending a person, group or cause. Early childhood providers are everyday advocates for their children, families, communities and the early education field. More than ever, early childhood educators are the voices that sing in harmony about the benefits of high-quality care and professionalization of the field.
Earning a CDA is the best first step on the path to professionalizing early childhood education – and advocacy is included within the credentialing program as a critical topic. Everyday advocacy shapes the bright future of our profession and positive outcomes for children.
Five simple steps to advocate for our children and profession:
1. Speak up! Share your experience and knowledge with parents, colleagues and anyone willing to listen.
2. Know your resources: find referral materials and trusted agencies within your community to help your families.
3. Raise awareness: participate in community events and celebrate children’s learning. Check out NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child for more ideas!
4. Get involved with policy: start today with NAEYC’s Advocacy ideas.
5. Vote with ECE in mind – in local, state and federal elections.
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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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