Dear Colleagues,
“I have a dream,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”—words that stirred a massive crowd when Dr. King pronounced them at the March on Washington in 1963. And Dr. King’s dream still had the power to move us all as we marked his birthday this month. They should also encourage our teachers to keep striving for equity in early learning, a core value here at the Council.
We’re determined to reach it, though our field is facing roadblocks at this time. The hot debate over vaccine mandates has made its way into schools. And it’s not a new issue, as we point out in our blog, Should Teachers Talk About COVID? Teachers have long been in a tricky place as they try to honor both the wisdom of science and the wishes of vaccine-resistant parents. This conflict adds to the stress they now feel from the problems brought on by the pandemic. Loss of loved ones, isolation, and changes in routine have led to a mental health crisis among our kids, and it’s raised alarms nationwide. But our children aren’t the only ones who’ve suffered losses. Our early childhood teachers also have fears and concerns that make it harder for them to help the children heal. So, we must mind our teachers’ mental health, as Dr. Calvin Moore points out.
Dr. Moore also urged our field to reckon more with race in what was among the most popular EdSurge podcasts of 2021. “The U.S. is now focusing more on issues of bias,” he says, “so the ECE profession should seize the moment by stepping up its efforts to nix prejudice early on.”
And this month we profile a few of the folks who’ve gotten the message. Read about Mimi and Hwaida Hassanein, the owners of Kids Villa, where children from all cultures feel loved. Hwaida also has a training center, where she guides people worldwide in getting their CDA®. The credential has opened doors for the diverse teachers she serves. And the CDA has made a difference for Janna Rodriguez, a family child care provider who gives children of color the confidence they need. Janna just earned her CDA and she, too, has more confidence now as a teacher. She also has big plans for the future and hopes to start her own child care center soon.
Janna recently made the news as an advocate for the early childhood field. And advocacy is also on our minds—more and more in these trying days. So, we recently welcomed a new director of public policy to our ranks. A CDA holder, former preschool teacher and attorney, Brionnea Williams-McClary knows the value of the credential as a strong step toward success.
You’ll learn more ways to get ahead when we explore Leading Career Pathways to Equity at our Early Educators Leadership Conference this fall. Check out what’s ahead at the EELC Corner. And don’t forget to join our Virtual Advocacy Day during the week of March 28, 2022. Save the date to tell Congress that having more CDA-credentialed teachers will help more young children receive the early learning they need—now and in the future. Sure, we’ve been making our case for some time, but we shall overcome the obstacles we face. “The arc of the moral universe is long,” as Dr. King knew, “but it bends towards justice.” Together, we can fulfill our dream of equity in education.
With our warmest regards, now and in the future,
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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