At the September meeting, the Caroline County Board of Education recognized six instructional assistants for earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Latonya Batson from Federalsburg Elementary; Susan Algier, Carol Schmitz, and Stephanie Liles from Greensboro Elementary; Jennifer Claytor from Preston Elementary; and Stephanie McNeal from Ridgely Elementary all successfully completed the program.
Director of Administrative Services Robert Willoughby explained that the program is challenging and requires a substantial amount of time and effort to complete. It required two classes at Chesapeake College, which lasted two years. Additionally, they had to develop and submit a professional portfolio, sit for a credentialing exam, and host a classroom visit and audit.
Dr. Willoughby also noted that Susan Algier, a retired teacher and now instructional assistant, acted as a leader for the group. As a former teacher, Ms. Algier did not need to obtain her CDA but did so anyway, providing assistance and encouragement along the way to the whole group.
These employees earned their CDA with support from Maryland LEADS and a partnership between CCPS and Chesapeake College. Beginning in 2027, Blueprint legislation requires that all paraprofessionals who work in a PreK program must have either an Associate's Degree or a CDA credential. The CDA credential is a nationally recognized credentialing process that is sponsored by the Council for Professional Recognition.
Photo L-R: Elizabeth Saylor, Chrissy Bartz, Stephanie McNeal, Stephanie Brohawn, Troy Plutschak, LaTonya Batson, Carol Schmitz, Rick Barton, Susan Algier, Michele Wayman, Stephanie Liles, Jennifer Clayton, Mark Jones, Lee Sutton, Mary Jo Kerr, AJ Angeloni