Navigating Your Career Path
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,...
Ken Murphy
news@cdacouncil.org
The Council for Professional Recognition (the Council) and TIPS for Child Care Institute, Inc., a vocational institute for early learning practitioners, have formed an alliance to provide the CDA JumpStart Support Program targeted to CDA candidates. The curriculum for this program supports the CDA training and competency requirements needed to work with young children from birth through five in a variety of settings and follow the Council’s Eight Subject Areas and the thirteen functional areas.
“What’s great about this partnership with TIPS for Child Care Institute Inc. is that they provide the necessary 120 hours of educational training that CDA candidates can use towards their credentials,” said Valora Washington, chief executive officer, the Council for Professional Recognition. “Candidates can also obtain support from TIPS staff for CDA test preparation and in assembling their CDA professional portfolio as part of the credential process.”
The CDA JumpStart Support Program features weekly in-person courses as well as online classes that help prepare students for the CDA examination and assists them with their CDA application. For candidates pursuing a higher education degree, there are now available courses as part of the program that can count towards earning a total of 6 college credit hours.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages zero to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings –Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs. As a non-profit agency, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, publishes the industry leading training books and workbooks, including its CDA Competency Standards and Essentials textbook and workbook (2ndedition). www.cdacouncil.org
ABOUT TIPS FOR CHILD CARE INSTITUTE, INC.
TIPS for Child Care Institute, Inc.seeks to foster the development of our adult learners throughout their entire education. Our teaching community is made up of a group of talented and creative professionals, who are passionate about creating the best Early Childhood Vocational School with a focus on Praxis Based strategies. TIPS for Child Care Institute, Inc. offers the tools and support necessary for our adult learners to reach their full potential. We adopt and implement the use of research and evidence based course and framework into every instructional package.
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,...
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The Council for Professional Recognition applauds the critical investments in early care and education included in the Build Back Better Act. This historic move will help children return to stable, developmentally appropriate, high-quality care, and help parents,...
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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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