Home > Newsletters > NJ Teacher Urges Students to Choose Career in ECE
Published by CounciLINK on February 28, 2019
Carrin Bachowski said she knew her calling very early on in life.
“As a child, I always knew I wanted to work with children,” Bachowski said. But she wasn’t sure exactly how. She began figuring it out 13 years ago after getting her B.A. in psychology and sociology, then taking a position as an assistant director in a child care center.
Two years later, she received her teaching certification and became one of the first kindergarten teachers at a new charter school in Camden, NJ.
“That experience plus some time at the school’s child care center ignited my passion for producing better-educated and better-trained early childhood professionals,” she said.
Bachowski began pursuing this goal as an early childhood educator at Sterling High School in Somerdale, NJ. For the past nine years, she has worked with the state’s Career and Technical Education Partnership to revamp Sterling’s child development program and increase offerings from one course to five, including a seminar that she teaches herself. Her students at Sterling High progress from theory to practice while making their way through the program.
Experience in a preschool laboratory classroom gives them insights into early childhood curriculum models, assessment and observation, children’s well-being and health. Along the way, they get the chance to earn some credits at Camden County College. At the end, they compile all their work into a portfolio that follows the professional standards of the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential.
And the standards of Sterling’s program are so high that it has been designated a Choice School Program that students in other districts may attend. This speaks to the program’s success and to the sense of passion Bachowski has brought to it over the years. It’s a passion she hopes to pass on to all of the students she trains.
Despite all she’s already achieved, she said, “I’m determined to further enhance the program offerings at Sterling High and better prepare students who plan to pursue a career in early childhood education.”
Carrin Bachowski is a Professional Development Specialist (PDS), teacher and a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA Adviser) in Somerdale, NJ.
To our followers – We want to bring your attention to an important matter regarding communication from the Council for Professional Recognition. Recently, a Facebook account impersonating the Council for Professional Recognition responded to people...
SPONSORED BLOG Whether you’re embarking on professional development (PD) to meet state requirements, or you want to invest in your own growth, PD has a number of benefits. First, it helps ensure you’re keeping up...
In the world of early childhood education, there’s a remarkable achievement that more people should know about – earning a Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™. The Council for Professional Recognition, a nonprofit that supports early...
SPONSORED BLOG Whether you’re just starting out in the early childhood field, or you’ve been teaching for years, chances are you’ve heard the term CDA at least a few times. The Child Development Associate® (CDA)...
SPONSORED BLOG Excitement. Jitters. Uncertainty. The new school year comes with a multitude of emotions and challenges — but thankfully there are things you can do ahead of time to prepare and ensure it’s the...
Language and literacy skills are fundamental building blocks for a child’s development, enabling effective communication, social interaction, and academic success throughout grade school and beyond. For young children with disabilities, however, traditional educational models may...
The Council for Professional Recognition’s Council Alumni Network (CAN) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. This free community boasts 1200+ members. CAN is a diverse group of stakeholders in early childhood education (ECE) across the U.S....
A couple of years before becoming a mother, I saw the classic movie Terms of Endearment. Before the opening credits, the film portrayed Aurora, played by Shirley MacLaine, as a worried mom who checked on...
“Every child deserves a champion,” said longtime teacher Rita Pierson in a famous TED talk. She was talking about “an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and...
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.
Janice Bigelow
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.
CounciLINK is Your Connection
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.