Usma Mohamed
news@cdacouncil.org
LEESBURG, V.A. — The Council for Professional Recognition, the leader in the credentialing of early childhood educators worldwide, convened national and international leaders, policymakers, early childhood professionals, higher education institutions and early childhood training organizations for another sold out 2021 Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC).
After the conference was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Council for Professional Recognition’s leadership approached 2021 with a new vision and focus on Shaping the Future: A Time for Resilience, Renewal and Reform. Council CEO, Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr. stated in his letter to attendees, “Our field is striving to return to normal after some very trying times. We have been tested—and we’ve shown our resilience. Now it’s time for renewal and reform.”
The 2021 EELC boasted more than 200 registrants, 20+ professional development sessions, networking opportunities and special events, 30+ keynote speakers and presenters and 17 sponsors. The conference design focused not only on the needs of the early childhood education field at large, but also the individual. Professional development, networking and wellness are recurring key components at every EELC conference. This year’s Health and Wellness Program offered attendees a holistic approach to their total well-being and self-care.
The 2021 EELC was made possible by our Gold Sponsors: Childcare Education Institute, ChildWise, Exchange, Inc., Foundation for Child Development, Learning Care Group, Inc., National Association for the Education of Young Children, Silver Sponsors: Bright Horizons, Continued® and ProSolutions Training. We appreciate the investment of all the 2021 EELC sponsors. Their invaluable commitment to the early childhood education field and the Council for Professional Recognition has made a positive impact on the future of early childhood education.
Looking ahead at 2022, EELC will explore the theme Leading Career Pathways to Equity, by taking an in-depth look at building systems, policies and career pathways to place our industry on the path towards equity in the classroom and the workplace.
For more information about the 2022 Early Educators Leadership Conference, visit www.cdacouncil.org/eelc.
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 birth to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings including Head Start, pre-k, 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 issued around the world. For more information, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
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ABOUT BRIGHT HORIZONS
Bright Horizons® is a leading global provider of high-quality early education and child care, back-up care, and workforce education services. For more than 30 years, we have partnered with employers to support workforces by providing services that help working families and employees thrive personally and professionally. Bright Horizons operates approximately 1,000 early education and child care centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and India, and serves more than 1,300 of the world’s leading employers. Bright Horizons’ early education and child care centers, back-up child and elder care, and workforce education programs help employees succeed at each life and career stage. For more information, go to www.brighthorizons.com.
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ABOUT CHILDCARE EDUCATION INSTITUTE
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 accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). www.cceionline.edu
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ABOUT CHILDWISE
ChildWise is dedicated to building a high-quality bilingual CDA (Chinese & English) training program and consulting solutions for early childhood educators, institutions and families in China and the U.S. Chinese American community. We have been working diligently to advocate for the advancement of ECE in China and the U.S.
ChildWise, founded in 2017, is headquartered in Chicago with operating offices in China.
Our Vision is empowering early childhood educators and families for the happy and healthy growth of children.
Our Mission is providing high-quality bilingual (English & Chinese) CDA training for teachers and early childhood education training for families.
With the help of leading experts in the field of early childhood education (ECE), ChildWise has developed a bilingual, current Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Credential training program. www.childwiseintl.com/
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ABOUT CONTINUED®
With more than 20 years of experience, Continued is a leading provider of online continuing education. The company’s mission is to provide an exceptional learning experience that enhances the lives and careers of its members. Continued provides quality, affordable online continuing education courses and resources in multiple professions, including early childhood education. A Continued membership in Early Childhood Education includes access to the entire library of 250+ practical, research-based training courses. That includes CDA courses, which members can take to earn the required clock hours needed to apply for or renew the CDA Credential. www.continued.com/
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ABOUT EXCHANGE, INC.
Exchange is committed to supporting early childhood professionals worldwide in their efforts to craft early childhood environments where adults and children thrive – environments that foster friendship, curiosity, self-esteem, joy, and respect; where the talents of all are fully challenged and justly rewarded.
Since 1978, Exchange Press has promoted the exchange of ideas among leaders in early childhood programs worldwide through Exchange magazine, books, and training resources. www.childcareexchange.com/
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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The Foundation for Child Development helps advocates and policymakers build high-quality, evidence-based early childhood systems that serve the needs of all children. The Foundation identifies needs and fill gaps by connecting research to changes that continuously improve policy and practice to build better lives for young children. www.fcd-us.org
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ABOUT LEARNING CARE GROUP, INC.
Learning Care Group is a leader in early childhood education, with more than 50 years of experience in inspiring children to love learning. Headquartered in Novi, Mich., the company is the second largest for-profit early education and care provider in North America. Learning Care Group provides early education and care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years through ten unique brands: Childtime Learning Centers, The Children’s Courtyard, Creative Kids Learning Centers, Everbrook Academy, La Petite Academy, Montessori Unlimited, Pathways Learning Academy, Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Centers, U-GRO Learning Centres and Young School. It operates more than 1,000 schools (corporate and franchise) across 38 states, the District of Columbia and internationally, and has a capacity to serve approximately 150,000 children. Learning Care Group supports child development for infants to school-agers through a comprehensive, research-based curriculum in a safe, nurturing, and fun school environment. It empowers children to be ready for school, instills a lifelong love of learning, and provides a foundation for the future. Learning Care Group also offers early education and child care benefit programs for organizations, including onsite locations, as well as tuition benefit and back-up care programs in its community-based schools. For more information, please visit www.learningcaregroup.com
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children. The association comprises nearly 60,000 individual members of the early childhood community and 52 Affiliates, all committed to delivering on the promise of high-quality early learning. Together, we work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. www.naeyc.org
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ABOUT PROSOLUTIONS TRAINING
ProSolutions Training provides online professional development training for early learning professionals. Our training focuses on promoting the healthy growth and development of children.
To meet the education requirement for the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™, ProSolutions Training offers educators a 120-hour online CDA Training. The CDA Training program includes resources to help with navigating the CDA process. Additionally, a 45-hour curriculum for CDA Renewal Training is available.
ProSolutions Training received the Council’s CDA® Gold Standard Training Certification. This represents the quality of online coursework, and the support services provided.
Training courses received acceptance nationwide. All courses completed earn IACET continuing education units (CEUs) and printable certificates. Courses include pre- and post-test, interactive games, videos, audio, and more. Real-world examples of how to apply lessons are also used throughout each course.
For more information, visit prosolutionstraining.com or call 800-939-9694.
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Vice President of Strategic Alliances
Elisa Shepherd is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Council, where she leads initiatives to advance the Council’s mission and strategic plan through designing, managing, and executing a comprehensive stakeholder relationship strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education (ECE), Elisa has dedicated her career to developing impactful programs, professional development opportunities, and public policies that support working families, young children, and ECE staff. Before joining the Council, Elisa held numerous roles within the childcare industry. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President at The Learning Experience and as Senior Manager at KinderCare Education, where she influenced government affairs and public policies across 40 states.
Elisa’s commitment to leadership is reflected in her external roles on the Early Care and Education Consortium Board of Directors, the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees, and as the DEI Caucus Leader for KinderCare Education. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative.
Elisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on child development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
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 (CFO)
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.
Vice President of People and Culture
Janie Payne is the Vice President of People and Culture for the Council for Professional Recognition. Janie is responsible for envisioning, developing, and executing initiatives that strategically manage talent and culture to align people strategies with the overarching business vision of the Council. Janie is responsible for driving organizational excellence through strategic talent practices, orchestrating workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management as well as a myriad of other Human Resources Programs. She is accountable for driving effectiveness by shaping organizational structure for optimal efficiency. Janie oversees strategies that foster a healthy culture to include embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.
Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.
Janie began her career with Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, where she directed a diversity program that resulted in significant improvement in diversity profile measures. Janie was also a faculty member for the company’s Black Managers Workshop, a training program designed to provide managers of color with the skills needed to overcome barriers to their success that were encountered because of race. She initiated a company-wide effort to establish team-based systems and structures to impact corporate bottom line results which was recognized by the Department of Labor. Janie was one of the first African American women to be featured on the cover of Human Resources Executive magazine.
Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.
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