Published by CounciLINK on September 27, 2019
Fifteen years in early childhood education have showed Tifani Herbert “the importance of having skilled staff working with our little ones.” She knows all the steps it takes to become a qualified educator, and she has laid them out in a comprehensive program that enables high school juniors and seniors to try out a career pathway in early childhood education.
Herbert’s input has transformed the program at Lewis & Clark Career Center in St. Charles, MO, since she began work there about two years ago. In the first year of the early education program at Lewis & Clark, students take 120 hours of instruction focused on the eight Child Development Associate (CDA®) standards. Then they take the knowledge they’ve gained and put it to work in local child care centers and preschools.
The students spend five days each week in these real-life settings during their second year while also putting together a portfolio that illustrates their professional skills. In addition, Herbert’s second-year students become CPR/AED certified while earning their CDA.
Meanwhile, Herbert prepares her students for the future because she believes her role “is more than just teaching my students in high school.” Besides preparing them for the workplace, she also focuses on note-taking strategies and study habits that will help those who plan to earn a coll
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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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