Five Reasons to Earn Your CDA
SPONSORED BLOG Whether you’re just starting out in the early childhood field, or you’ve been teaching for years, chances are you’ve heard the term CDA at least a few times. The Child Development Associate® (CDA)...
The end of the year is always a good time for reflection – and we at the Council look back on 2015 as another banner year in our service to you – the early care and education community.
And, 2015 was not just any year. It was our 30th anniversary! Yes! Thirty years of serving early educators is a milestone that belongs to all of us. Hundreds of thousands of early childhood educators have earned their CDA – the best first step for early educators. We do this work because we love it – and we have a deep commitment to support you as you support young children and families.
Santa recently joined us at the Council as our staff, once again, generously donated gifts for the Toys for Tots program.
As always, Santa asks: “Naughty or Nice?” we checked our list and told Santa a few things that we have accomplished in 2015:
After hearing about our 30th anniversary year, Santa declared that we are NICE. And the better news is, we hope to be a GIFT to the early childhood community for the next thirty years!
Let me end this year by once again thanking YOU our partners, trainers, credential earners and friends! We predict wonderful days ahead for the early childhood community!
Wishing you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Valora Washington, Ph.D.
CEO
SPONSORED BLOG Whether you’re just starting out in the early childhood field, or you’ve been teaching for years, chances are you’ve heard the term CDA at least a few times. The Child Development Associate® (CDA)...
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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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