Published by CounciLINK on December 20, 2018
The long arm of the Council’s Professional Development Specialist (PDS) program has reached China, with the September certification of Yunfan Jiang as the first PDS in that country.
Jiang currently is the academic manager of Eyaskids Learning Academy, the first early childhood education program to utilize the CDA credentialing program in China. As a founder of Eyaskids, she participated in the process from the ground up and now is responsible for research and development of curricula, which includes the performance improvement of early childhood educators.
Jiang said her own personal experience helped push her into the early childhood education (ECE) field.
“In my childhood years, most parents knew little about the importance of early education and didn’t care what a child needed to learn, which allowed me a relaxed and happy childhood although living in a resource-poor environment,” Jiang said. “Most teachers had little or no educational background related to this field and worked more like babysitters before the 1990s. Family education is mainly dominated by traditional parental authoritarian style.”
Jiang’s journey to ECE definitely has involved lots of twists and turns. She graduated from the computer science department of North China Electric Power University in 2000. She later worked in the Multimedia Research Institute of Wuhan University as a research staffer and then joined Pactera to establish a software localization team in its Wuhan branch.
In 2010, after becoming a mother, Jiang decided to go to Canada to study early childhood education to satisfy her strong interest in introducing Western educational theories and practices to China. In 2015, she returned to the country and joined the EYAS Education Group and participated in the establishment of Eyaskids, which is committed to introducing ideas and practices of high-quality early childhood education to China.
Jiang said that Eyaskids – which has been actively cooperating with Council partner ChinaWise – started its CDA credentialing program with strong support from the Council.
“It is very fortunate for Eyaskids to be chosen by the CDA Council as its first experimental base in China for the CDA credentialing program. I believe this is a landmark event for the Council as well as for Eyaskids, and also exciting news for Chinese early educators,” Jiang said.
She added: “The early education industry has never been so prosperous due to the growing emphasis in recent years. However, no matter how advanced the education theory is, high-quality education always rests on its practitioners (being) equipped with excellent professional skills. That’s why we have the Council with us.”
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share how it is important for us all to reflect on women’s progress in the business world and the importance of supporting and empowering...
My mom called me up some years ago to praise a movie about a pig. As she began to mimic the pig’s squeaky little voice, I started to wonder what this meant and worried my...
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
In April 2022, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued new guidance and an Information Memoranda (IM) announcing the long-awaited, family-friendly policy of permitting families and guardians to use proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
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.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.
