Published by CounciLINK on March 28, 2019
Jennifer Jones brings real-world know-how to the classroom as a teacher at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schnecksville, PA.
She has only been at Lehigh for a year. But before that, she owned a child care facility for six years in Allentown, where she applied her training as a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the Family and Consumer Science program.
Her education, she explained, also “prepared her for the ever-changing dynamics in the classroom” when she came to Lehigh.
Jones’ classroom approach combines academics, real-life experience with kids and work toward the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential.
“By combining our detailed early childhood curriculum with practical skills,” she said, “I am providing a holistic view of early childhood careers to prepare students for life after high school.”
The students have the chance to work at an onsite child care facility, as well as many high-quality child care facilities off campus. And whatever questions they might have, students know they can turn to Jones for answers.
She’s known for having a warm spirit and wonderful sense of humor that puts her students at ease, though it’s plain that she holds them accountable for the important work they do.
And the person she’s toughest on is herself.
“A critical aspect of my career includes continuing education, attending conferences and staying up to date with trends in my field,” Jones said.
Early childhood education is a changing field, and it’s lucky to have a dynamic teacher like her.
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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.
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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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