Child Development Associate (CDA) Recognition Event
Since June 2021, Fairfax Futures, through generous funding from the John and Janice Wyatt Foundation, has supported early childhood educators in their journey toward earning the CDA® (Child Development Associate) credential via the CDA Mentoring Program: Strengthening the Fairfax County Early Childhood Workforce. The CDA credential is managed by the Council for Professional Recognition and is awarded to professionals working in various early care and education settings, including Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs.
On February 1, thirteen early childhood educators, project consultants Jill McFarren Aviles and Ana Hoover, Matt Peterson, Executive Director of the John & Janice Wyatt Foundation, Fairfax Futures Executive Director Sallyann Rodriguez-Sawao, Tori Ongodia, Manager of Programs and Communications for Fairfax Futures, Fairfax Futures Board Member Dr. Bernadette Costello, and Keisha Dotson, Deputy Director of Fairfax County’s Neighborhood and Community Services division, celebrated these achievements at the Lorton Community Action Center. McFarren Aviles and Hoover, who worked tirelessly and patiently with these educators, coaching them toward success, MC’ed the celebration with an intimate review of the educator’s journey in obtaining the CDA®.
Dr. Bernadette Costello shared her reflections on the event:“ It was a privilege to attend the CDA Recognition Event. The process for receiving the CDA credential involves a significant investment of time and effort to complete all the requirements. The individual stories of the journey and the impact of achieving this hard-earned accomplishment were humbling. What struck me most was their tenacity to succeed and the commitment to the children in their care. The sense of pride, confidence, and gratitude from the CDA earners and their family members to Fairfax Futures and the Wyatt Foundation was so uplifting. Glad to have been there to share in the celebration and recognition of their accomplishments.”
This heartfelt reflection underscores the importance of the CDA credential and highlights the dedication of the educators as well as the vital support provided by Fairfax Futures and the Wyatt Foundation.
Educator Date CDA Earned
Saharla Jama July 2022
Shashi Negi August 2022
Fabiola Rivadineira* September 2022
Marja Hernandez November 2022
Maribel Garcia Velasco* April 2023
Sandra Chica April 2023
Hilda Garcia May 2023
Sudharani Nekkalapud June 2023
Marianela Flores August 2023
Gimena Alba Zurita* August 2023
Rossmary Acosta* August 2023
Nora Jesus Garate de Gomez October 2023
Janibel Villa Silard* January 2024
Carlos Paz February 2024
Maria Guevara February 2024
Dana Cordova February 2024
Maria Isabel Vargas Montano March 2024
Ola Kobeya April 2024
Megan Fogarty August 2024
Claudia Marcela Guidel Ramirez August 2024
Xiomara E. Guzman Reyes September 2024
Sandra Maricruz Martinez December 2024
Keyli Soriano Albania December 2024
Sandra Myers* April 2023
Sandra Ninapaytan May 2024
Deepika Nag October 2024
Nikita Cooley December 2024
Leidy Johana Roca Mejia January 2025
Rosario Miriam Montes January 2025
*CDA graduates who also served as peer mentors, a subset of educators who earned their CDA® and were invited to participate in a series of workshops and individual coaching sessions with the program mentors to equip them to support their peers who are working toward their credential.
Project consultants, Fairfax Futures staff and the project funder pose with CDA graduates
McFarren Aviles poignantly captured the sentiment of the day, “The celebrationaffirmed that the passion, commitment, and ongoing learning of the early childhood educators who completed their CDA through the mentorship program profoundly impacted the profession and shaped our children's future. It was also a recognition of the leadership peer mentors demonstrated as they supported and guided other educators in completing their portfolios. Their hard work and dedication are inspiring as they lay the foundation for the next generation to thrive.”
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt activity with each educator expressing a few words about what the accomplishment meant to her. The moment was moving, as educators reflected on the hurdles they faced, including overcoming barriers such as language, and highlighted the importance of modeling success for family members.
Click this link to view additional photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3YZX
CDA graduates share heartfelt anecdotes during closing activity
The event was especially meaningful as it marked the first time that many of the educators met one another in-person, as well as their coaches, Jill McFarren Aviles and Ana Hoover. “It was a great honor to meet, in person, the wonderful mentors that helped me accomplish the goal of obtaining my CDA. It was great to hug them and say ‘Thank you’ face to face. The stories shared by fellow educators were very inspiring. As for me, it reiterated the reasons why I chose this profession. Children are different and learn in different ways, and this is what makes it so special. My goal is to provide the best first education experience possible for my students,” shared Marja Hernandez, early childhood educator and CDA graduate.
Congratulations to each of the educators! We applaud you for your hard work, dedication, and accomplishments.