The Executive Director of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Sandy Spavone, has expressed her passion for the role of early childhood education opportunities within CTE programs. We had the pleasure to sit down with Sandy Spavone at the 2021 Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC) for an interview on early childhood within Family and Consumer Sciences programs.
“It is an exciting opportunity for today’s youth to see that they can have that input into the next generation of children and make a difference,” she says. “Students sometimes don’t think early childhood is a career they want to do, and then they get hooked. If we don’t introduce it to them, they might not think of it as a career that they would like to explore and prepare for. So, I really feel that giving them that exploratory opportunity—letting them get in there, see what it’s like, and lighting the inspiration in their heart— is the most exciting thing that we can do.” You can watch the full video here.
Established in 1945, the FCCLA focuses on preparing students to become successful family members, wage earners and community leaders. And early childhood programs are a key part of the Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum, the base for FCCLA.
In high school, students begin to earn the requirements for the CDA®, which Sandy says is a credential that many “states and a lot of our schools are really trying to encourage the students to participate in, to fill the workforce need for early childhood educators and get them ready to be part of that career.”
If you are interested in establishing a CDA high school CTE program or would like to learn more about the benefits of the program, we encourage you to visit our High School Pathways page. You will have access to our webinar, fact sheet and FAQs. In addition, you can download our free CDA high school handbook. The handbook provides templates, workbooks, budgets, and guides for engaging administrators, instructors, and students in creating a sustainable high school 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...
Where can you connect with CDA® holders and the wide range of folks who serve them? Turn to the Council Alumni Network (CAN), an online community that brings together current and past CDA earners, CDA...
Professional development is absolutely critical to your success, as well as the success of all the children in your care. Not to mention in most states, you’re required to complete a minimum number of training...
This month marks my second year at the Council for Professional Recognition. When I first arrived at the Council, I was no stranger to the organization or its mission, as I had been involved with...
Schools are microcosms of the world beyond their walls. Factors like race, culture, class and gender set the stage for what takes place in our schools as learners from different groups interact. The conflicts that...
There is no denying the academic and emotional impact of the pandemic on children. News websites and TV newscasts are full of stories about the unknown long-term effects of the past two years on kids....
Finding informative and trusted early childhood educator resources online can be a challenge. That’s why the CDA® Advisory Committee met virtually to learn more about the nonprofit, The Source for Learning (SFL) and its ECE...
Each year I update my professional bio and pause at the part where it says, “Rachel Robertson has worked in the field for over X years”. Not because I can’t believe it or can’t remember,...
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.
