Each December, people take stock of the year and think of what is to come in the new year. I am no exception.
Working for an organization like the Council for Professional Recognition has been my most rewarding professional experience to date. This year, and for the past two years, we have seen an unbelievable light being shined on early childhood educators. The public’s awareness has also raised appreciation of the challenges we face.
We know the value early educators bring to our country’s overall economy, yet we continue to offer them wages that hardly match their importance. I have been heartened to see the federal Build Back Better Plan includes billions of dollars for states to grow pre-K programs and create the need for at least 40,000 new teachers, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University.
We have seen the shortage of educators grow, and the Council supports efforts to bring more professionals into the field. We are encouraged to see higher education institutions considering creating affordable degree programs in the field. The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s recent report uncovered some of the barriers for those looking to become educators—the number one barrier is financial.
The Council is proud to share that we have a promising pipeline of early educators looking to join the early education field or better their skill set by earning a Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential. During the pandemic, we saw a steady rate of those looking to earn and renew their CDA.
We see again and again the scientific research supporting the long-term benefits of high-quality early education. Yet, we do not provide a realistic, economically sound pathway for people to make a career in early childhood education.
The CDA provides an accessible pathway for early educators and can help fill a growing need. Aaron “Buddy” Rhodes, a member of the Council’s CDA Advisory Committee, comes from a family of educators. He first realized that teaching was a passion while in high school. As Buddy became older, he knew he was interested in the science of childhood development, but he wasn’t sure what he should do with this interest. Buddy credits the CDA for helping provide a foundational understanding of how he could best work with children.
I am optimistic for the future and believe that 2022 will prove to be an amazing year like no other. The Council looks forward to supporting our network of educators. We will push for more efforts to be focused on those who have dedicated their lives to educating our children.
Where can you connect with CDA® holders and the wide range of folks who serve them? Turn to the Council Alumni Network (CAN), an online community that brings together current and past CDA earners, CDA...
Professional development is absolutely critical to your success, as well as the success of all the children in your care. Not to mention in most states, you’re required to complete a minimum number of training...
This month marks my second year at the Council for Professional Recognition. When I first arrived at the Council, I was no stranger to the organization or its mission, as I had been involved with...
Schools are microcosms of the world beyond their walls. Factors like race, culture, class and gender set the stage for what takes place in our schools as learners from different groups interact. The conflicts that...
There is no denying the academic and emotional impact of the pandemic on children. News websites and TV newscasts are full of stories about the unknown long-term effects of the past two years on kids....
Finding informative and trusted early childhood educator resources online can be a challenge. That’s why the CDA® Advisory Committee met virtually to learn more about the nonprofit, The Source for Learning (SFL) and its ECE...
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,...
Teachers aren’t keen to bring up the topic of COVID, according to their Facebook posts. “I don’t think we are allowed to,” one teacher wrote. “There’s no way I’m going near that subject since it’s...
CDA®. These three little letters can change the entire trajectory of your career. The Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential is the most widely known and valued credential in early childhood education. By earning your CDA,...
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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