Delaware continues to support the early childhood community and the educators who teach, guide, and nurture our young children. If you previously expressed interest in joining a CDA portfolio preparation cohort, we encourage you to join the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC)’s email list and follow them on eventbrite to stay updated with all necessary information you need to start (or continue) your CDA journey.

Click here to get more details on the ECIC or email them directly at ECIC@desu.edu.


The following document includes “why” this credential is so important in your career development.

Why CDA?
¿Por que CDA?

Invest in your professional development by learning effective teaching practices in early childhood education. By completing the following steps, you will get all the support you need to receive your CDA.

What providers are saying:

“I have been in childcare since 1999 and have always wanted to earn my CDA. When the opportunity presented itself, I quickly jumped on board. Although it requires great commitment, the support we receive from each other in the cohort is tremendous. I can sense the dedication of my colleagues and instructors, and I am motivated to get my work completed. The teachers have confidence in our abilities and encourage us along the way. Even though I have been in early childhood education for many years, I have learned new information that will enable me to be a better teacher/director. Several of my staff have enrolled, and it is wonderful to see how they are supporting each other. I highly recommend a cohort experience to anyone who wants to earn their CDA.”

– Mica Jackson, director of applications for Brandywine Childcare and Preschool

Questions?

For DIEEC CDA cohort-related inquiries, please email Alvita Kelly at adkelly@udel.edu.

For CDA scholarships, please email Lynn Kelley at lynn.kelley@jitc.org.

To learn more about the CDA, please visit the Council for Professional Recognition website.

The Career Pathways Team

Alvita Kelly portrait

Alvita Kelly

Career Pathways Manager

Email:

Education:

Master’s Degree

Experience:

More than 25 years in education (including 15 years of leadership experience). Former district administrator for early intervention and home visitor programming, technical assistance supervisor, adjunct faculty, special education council member.

DIEEC History:

Joined DIEEC in 2013.

Melissa Schulte headshot

Melissa Schulte

Professional Development Coordinator

Email:

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:

26 years experience working in the field of education.

DIEEC History:

Began work with the Institute in 2018.

Jessica Cheyney-Morgan headshot

Jessica Cheyney-Morgan

Professional Development Coordinator

Email:

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:

More than 20 years of experience working in early childhood education, 10 of those years as a program director.

DIEEC History:

Joined DIEEC in 2013 as an assessor on the Verification and Assessment team. Trained to and maintained reliability in the ERS, CLASS, and CHILD tools. Joined the home-based child care team in October 2021 as a professional development coordinator.

Christine Jimenez portrait

Christine Jimenez

Professional Development Coordinator

Email:

Education:

Master’s Degree

Experience:

More than 15 years as a public school teacher with a specialization in bilingualism and second language learning (Spanish).

DIEEC History:

Joined the Institute in 2022 as a PDC on the learning environments team.