Ken Murphy
Chief Communications Officer
Council for Professional Recognition
kennethm@cdacouncil.org
202-772-5513
The CDA Gold Standard, a certification for early childhood education training organizations, awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition (the Council) is the newest way to assure quality education for Child Development Associate (CDA®) Credential students. ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) earned the CDA Gold Standard Comprehensive designation in 2017. A Comprehensive designation means CCEI provides CDA courses that encompass all Eight (8) CDA® Subject Areas. Students have a selection of courses that are targeted to meet the knowledge-based needs of the early education setting in which they work: family child care, child care center, or pre-k. CCEI has graduated over 9,000 early childhood professionals from CDA and other certificate programs.
“Our partnership with ChildCare Education Institute helps to expand the CDA’s reach through an online learning system with 24/7 accessibility which is a useful tool and professional development option for early childhood educators looking to obtain or renew their CDA credentials in English or Spanish,” says Valora Washington, chief executive officer, Council for Professional Recognition.
CCEI is a Gold Sponsor for the 2018 EELC PDS & Gold Standard Symposium on October 9, 2018. The 2018 Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC) provides opportunities for early childhood education professionals to network, build knowledge, learn from industry experts, and explore professional development opportunities. EELC is in Washington, D.C. October 9 –12 at the Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor.
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 (2nd edition) available in English and Spanish. www.cdacouncil.org
ABOUT CHILDCARE EDUCATION INSTITUTE (CCEI)
ChildCare Education Institute®, a division of Excelligence Learning Corporation, provides high-quality, distance education certificates and child care training programs in an array of child care settings, including preschool centers, family child care, prekindergarten classrooms, nanny care, online daycare training and more. Over 150 English and Spanish child care training courses are available online to meet licensing, recognition program, and Head Start Requirements. CCEI also has online certification programs that provide the coursework requirement for national credentials including the CDA, Director and Early Childhood Credentials. CCEI, a Council for Professional Recognition CDA Gold Standard™ training provider, is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and isaccredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). www.cceionline.edu
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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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