The Maryland State Department of Education has partnered with the Council for Professional Recognition to encourage the state’s early childhood educators to earn or renew a Child Development Associate®, the premier credential in ECE. The Council is excited to leverage the CDA and expand ECE career development with funding for you!
The CDA can propel your career ahead and help you provide even better service to the children and communities you serve. It did for Crystal Barksdale and Nicole Bastfield, two Maryland early childhood teachers who’ve already taken advantage of the grant. Read their stories and why they think the CDA is a life changer in the early childhood field. These Maryland colleagues, as you will see, share the belief that you should find out more about the CDA and how to apply for state funding toward the credential.
Don’t delay since the funding is only available for a limited time. Afraid to embark on a new adventure in learning? Don’t worry. You’ll get a lot of peer support, as both our Maryland teachers point out. And it’s easy to get started, you’ll see when you read our blog. Mark this milestone in your career with help from the Maryland grant.
Funding is limited, so apply today!
Not a Maryland educator? Check out other state funding opportunities here.
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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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