Ken Murphy
news@cdacouncil.org
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC)in Maryland is providing three career development opportunities for early childhood education(ECE) students pursuing an initial or renewal Child Development Associate (CDA®) Credential and an associate degree in early childhood education (ECE).
The TEACH Institute at Anne Arundel Community College offers three programs that allow ECE students to take classes required to earn a CDA. Anne Arundel Community College will also provide up to six hours of credit toward an associate’s degree for qualified students who successfully complete and meet the requirements of either a 120-hour CDA Credential or Hybrid 30-hourprogram.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for early childhood educators beginning or continuing down the ECE career path. The CDA® provides a great stepping stone in the early childhood education career ladder, especially when combined with an associate degree,” Valora Washington, chief executive officer, Council for Professional Recognition said. “Students supported by the Anne Arundel Community College early education curriculum will also meet Maryland’s educational requirements for early childhood educators.”
CDA Credentialed early childhood education professionals are trained in both educational methods and hands-on competencies for working with very young children ages zero to five years old. CDA’s work in a variety of educational settings including:pre-k, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor.
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 the CDA Competency Standards and Essentials textbook and workbook (2ndedition) available in English and Spanish. www.cdacouncil.org
ABOUT ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anne Arundel Community College For more than 50 years, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) has proudly served the diverse needs of Anne Arundel County by bringing educational excellence and innovation to our community and region. Students of all ages continually redefine themselves through 225 programs of study and more than 3,500 courses.
Established in 1961, AACC is a fully accredited, nationally recognized, public, two-year institution and the largest single-campus community college in Maryland, serving nearly 50,000 students annually in credit and noncredit courses.
AACC offers credit programs leading to an associate degree or credit certificate that prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution or to move into an immediate career.
In addition, the college offers noncredit continuing professional education courses, 140 continuing education certificates and more than 30 workforce credentials to those seeking career training or retraining, working to boost basic skills or pursuing new areas of interest. AACC also provides extensive lifelong learning opportunities for all ages.
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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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