Published by CounciLINK on January 23, 2020
1975
In the early ’70s, a group of innovative early childhood educators gathered to think about how to improve the quality of early childhood care and education. The concept for the CDA credential came out of those meetings and was initially funded by U.S. Department of Health &Human Services Administration on Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF). After several years of development, the first CDA was awarded to Marie E. Wright on July 24, 1975 in Washington, DC.
1985
NAEYC established the Council for Professional Recognition to serve as the national body to administer the CDA credential. The Council took full responsibility on September 1, 1985.
1990
Head Start amendments require their classrooms to have at least one teacher with a minimum of a CDA. The amendments amount to a commitment to provide all children — regardless of their circumstances — with quality early educators and the chance for lifelong success.
Take a walk down memory lane and learn more about how the CDA has affected the ECE community over time.
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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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