Usma Mohamed
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Council for Professional Recognition
UsmaM@cdacouncil.org
202-772-5513
Ceremony will recognize military child educators
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dr. Valora Washington, CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition and an internationally-recognized leader and expert on early childhood education, will speak at Naval Station Norfolk Installation at the invitation of the U.S. Department of Defense Mid-Atlantic Children and Youth Programs.
The occasion is a commencement ceremony attended by more than 300 DoD Child and Youth Program staff who have earned the CDA® credential (Child Development Associate™) or an MSA (Military School Age) credential – both of which are administered by the Council of Professional Recognition.
A CDA® candidate earns the credential through rigorous coursework, examinations, and field observation by qualified professionals indicating the achievement of standard core competencies in working with young children. Every early childhood educator at U.S. military bases is required to hold a CDA®.
An MSA candidate goes through a similar process qualifying them to work in military-based school age programs.
To date, over 9,000 U.S. military members have applied to earn either a CDA® or MSA. U.S. Presidents Clinton and Obama have both recognized the early childhood education programs in the U.S. military as the best in the nation.
“I am thrilled to join our nation’s military members at Naval Station Norfolk to recognize those candidates who have worked so hard to earn their CDA® and MSA credentials,” said Dr. Washington. “Their work with children on U.S. military bases around the world means children will receive the best early childhood education to set them up for a lifetime of success.”
The graduation ceremony will take place on February 13, 2020 at the C-9 Auditorium at Naval Station Norfolk Installation.
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 including center-based, preschool/infant-toddler, family childcare, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, over 800,000 CDA credentials have been awarded around the world. For more information, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
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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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