Messages from the Movies
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...
The countdown has begun …
We can’t wait to greet you next week at the 2022 Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC). You can look forward to hearing insights from industry thought leaders connecting with colleagues, watching world-renowned entertainers and working on great, new methods of self-care. There’s a wealth of information—and fun—in store, as you can hear from Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr., Council CEO.
Chief Executive Officer
Council for Professional Recognition
Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr., an accomplished and experienced early childhood education leader, was appointed interim CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition in May 2020; he’s the first CEO of the Council to hold its early education credential, the Child Development Associate® (CDA). He previously served on the Council’s governing board.
Moore earned his CDA® nearly three decades ago while working for Head Start, a program he first participated in as a child. He also has vast professional Head Start experience, having served in large and small, urban and rural, center-based and family child care-based programs, as well as programs focused predominantly on Hispanic families.
Throughout his career, Moore has held senior roles directing complex public departments at both the federal and state level, focused on improving outcomes for underserved children and families.
Musician, Children’s Book Author and Early Education & Literacy Advocate
Coyco Creative
A Georgia native, born and raised in Thomaston, Coy Bowles is probably best known as a guitarist, keyboardist, singer, and songwriter for the three-time Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. However, off stage, he is a teacher and parent blazing trails in the world of early education. With five highly praised children’s books under his belt, Coy recently released a social-emotional learning kit based around his hit book, Behind the Little Red Door, an unforgettable story of imagination and creativity. His new children’s album, Music for Tiny Humans, won a Gold Award from the Parents’ Choice Foundation.
Coy is a board member for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning and is involved with the Georgia Governor’s Office education initiatives. He was also the 2019 keynote speaker for GAEYC, and recently became the Region IV Head Start Ambassador on Early Literacy.
Recently, Coy unveiled his new children’s education and creativity company, Coyco Creative, which stands for “Creativity Opportunity Yields Creative Output.” Through this exciting new venture, Coy delivers original children’s books and music, play-based learning, and unique opportunities for both in-person and digital classrooms.
Children’s Book Author & Educator
Clemson University
Children’s author and educator, Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson is the author of 22 children’s books. She received her doctorate in curriculum, teaching, and leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She holds a master’s degree from Clemson University in youth development and leadership. Kimberly also has a degree in early childhood education and communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her post-doctoral work in the Advanced Leadership Program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. In addition, she recently completed a certificate in diversity and inclusion at Cornell University.
Kimberly is a creative thinker with a passion for teaching and helping others. She currently teaches “Creative Activities for Youth” and “Working with Diverse Youth” at Clemson University. She also teaches “Creative Writing for Social Change” at Clinton College and is a course facilitator for the “Leading Learning and Managing Evidence” courses at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. She is currently the curriculum design specialist for the King Center in Atlanta.
University Dean and Executive Director
City University of New York
Sherry M. Cleary is the University Dean of Early Childhood Initiatives at the City University of New York and the Executive Director of the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute. She leads the work of a passionate team dedicated to building essential systems to ensure a highly effective early childhood workforce for the state of New York so that young children have a guarantee of access to excellence. Her work also focuses on how colleges and universities can build more effective early childhood programs, as well as campus children’s programs. She supports CUNY’s 17 campus child care centers and chairs the Student-Parent Task Force.
Ms. Cleary has worked in the field of early childhood education as a classroom teacher, program administrator, and both a faculty member and higher education administrator at Erie Community College, the University of Pittsburgh and now, CUNY. She has extensive experience in inner cities and rural communities, has served on several boards of directors and college advisory boards, as well as presided over national and regional membership organizations.
Want to learn more? Download the conference brochure to get to know all the presenters and see the special events that are planned.
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We can’t wait to see you at EELC 2022!
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...
The CDA Advisory Committee was created to provide insights, perspectives, and best practices to the CDA community and other early childhood professionals. Established during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the members’ first-hand experiences...
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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