Dear Colleagues,
Early childhood teachers were essential way before the pandemic. But the public health crisis has helped them receive more of the gratitude they should for the vital role they play in communities nationwide. As working moms and dads scrambled to plan for their children’s care, educators stepped up to provide vital services—ones that parents still urgently need.
Our educators risked their safety and health to serve the public good, as public authorities have acknowledged. In New Mexico, Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Care, told providers, “I want to thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do every day.” Their services make a strong impact on both public revenues and parents, said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “We recognize the critical role that child care providers have played in the state’s overall recovery efforts—nurturing, educating and caring for our youngest children while supporting the economy of our state. We are grateful to providers who gave continued support to our children and our families.”
The Council is grateful to you, too, and we’re showing it by offering a 15 percent discount using code EELC2021 on all our publications through December 1. Check out our bookstore, where you can shop for CDA® Competency Standards books, the CDA® Renewal Guide and Essentials for Working with Young Children. Get a deal on these and other basic resources that give you the information you need. And see how simple it is to make your CDA active again through our Renewal Amnesty Program.
It’s our way of being thankful to all our early educators, especially those who came to our Early Educators Leadership Conference last month. We were thrilled by the turnout at this sold-out event, featuring great speakers, including Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr., who has officially been appointed as Council CEO. We’re grateful for his leadership, and you will see why when he comes to a city near you. The EELC was just one of Moore’s stops this conference season as he connected with our educators on the road.
We know you don’t want to miss hearing from him and our other experts next fall, so we’re making it easy for you to plan far ahead. Be sure to get in for the 2022 Early Educators Leadership Conference on October 5-8 in Orlando, where we’ll explore leading career pathways to equity. You can begin exploring all we’ll have to offer—and save money, too, if you register now. You’ll be glad you did because we’ll be featuring industry experts who can help you get more of the support, recognition and pay you’ve always deserved.
While you wait to hear from them, catch up with the first season of CounciLIVE, your live stream source on the key issues and topics in early childhood education today. If you’ve missed our previous video streams, read the wrap-up on our wide range of speakers from the worlds of policy and public service, administration and academics. Here at the Council our commitment to educators like you is stronger than ever. We’ve always known just how essential you are.
With much gratitude and thanks,
The Council for Professional Recognition
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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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