Welcome to the Council and thank you for checking out our new blog. It is with great excitement that the Council takes the first step in the world of blogging to communicate with all of you and have conversations with everyone who values early childhood education and our organization. Here you will find news about the Council, latest research and best practices in ECE, public policy initiatives, upcoming conferences and much more. Our goal with this blog is to create another avenue where we can offer useful tips about the CDA Credential, share candidates’ success stories, and host opinions on how early childhood education can be the window of opportunity for every child. In the coming weeks our CEO, Dr. Valora Washington, will introduce herself on the blog and share a little bit more about her professional career and our organization.
As you may already know, this year, the Council is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first CDA award. As part of the celebration, we are creating new platforms to communicate and share our remembrances, acknowledge present accomplishments and look to a future bright with the promise of a more unified and qualified profession.
In addition, The Council for Professional Recognition is moving forward in building partnerships with key organizations that are committed to excellence in the field of early childhood care and education by promoting leadership and quality training. In fact, this month the Council is extending its reach through partnerships with Monroe College to enable its students to earn the Council’s Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Stay tuned for more partnership initiatives in the coming months, which we will communicate through our blog.
We invite you to continue following us on social media to stay up to date with the Council’s latest news. If you already follow us on Facebook, keep an eye out for our CDA Friday Morning Spotlight. Every Friday morning we feature one Candidate and celebrate their CDA Credential. If you would like to become a part of the CDA Friday Morning Spotlight, please send an email to ClaudinaH@cdacouncil.org with your information and we will contact you about the date you will be featured. We look forward to receiving your story!
We will be updating this blog frequently to keep you updated on the happening at the Council in the wider early child care world.
Follow us on the Council’s Social Media Channels:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cdacouncil
Twitter: @cdacouncil
LinkedIn: Council for Professional Recognition
Instagram: @cdacouncil
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
In April 2022, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued new guidance and an Information Memoranda (IM) announcing the long-awaited, family-friendly policy of permitting families and guardians to use proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
The CDA Advisory Committee was created to provide insights, perspectives, and best practices to the CDA community and other early childhood professionals. Established during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the members’ first-hand experiences...
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...
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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