Karen Preston first in Arizona to complete new Child Development Associate Credential
September 19, 2023Yuma, AZ (September 19, 2023) – As a high school student at Central Union High School in El Centro, Calif., Karen Preston spent the first two hours of her school day working at a childcare facility housed on campus.
It was that experience that sparked her interest in pursuing a potential career in early childhood education, and it’s a field she’s devoted herself to throughout her life.
Preston worked as a preschool teacher at various daycare centers and Head Start programs for almost 20 years before being hired as an adjunct faculty member at Arizona Western College in 1999. For nearly 24 years now she’s been working in coordination with the Dr. Kathryn A. Watson Child Development Learning Lab as a Child Development Associate (CDA) Advisor and a Professional Development Specialist (PDS).
In her role at the college, she teaches early childhood education courses and conducts formal student observations, which are required to be completed before students can take their exam to earn their nationally recognized CDA Credential.
“Working with children can be very stressful at times, so I provide a support system for our students and I serve as a mentor for them as they gain confidence in the workplace. Many of these students continue on to earn their associate or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. This is the best job in the world, it really is,” said Preston.
As a way to stay up to date on current practices being taught to students, Preston recently completed the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential sponsored by the Arizona Early Childhood Workforce Registry in conjunction with the ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI).
“I am proud of Karen for taking on the task of completing all the required modules for the new alternative CDA process. Karen is a great instructor who is flexible, knowledgeable and always willing to lend a hand,” said Alma Barrandey, Child Development Learning Lab Director.
Preston was awarded a $1,000 check on Wednesday, Aug. 30, for being the first professional in the state to complete this new continuing education professional development course.
“It was such a big surprise to receive this award,” said Preston. “I’m always in the background taking care of our AWC students, that’s where I’m most comfortable, but it was nice to be recognized.”
“The AZ Early Childhood Workforce Registry Administration Home team at Arizona PBS was so excited to hear that our scholar, Karen Preston finished the CCEI CDA Pathway,” said Veronica Chacon, AZ Early Childhood Workforce Registry Director and Arizona PBS Assistant Director. “We knew that celebrating and highlighting Karen's achievement was a perfect opportunity to encourage and motivate other students completing the pathway. Surprising Karen at work with a giant bonus check was such a self-rewarding experience. Although we know that the college scholarships that are funded by First Things First are making a difference in the lives of early childhood professionals throughout Arizona, it was a heartwarming experience to see the direct impact this opportunity has made for one of our scholars, as shown by Karen's smile.”
Contact:
Alma Barrandey
Child Development Learning Lab Director
Arizona Western College
Alma.Barrandey@azwestern.edu
928-344-7564
Contact:
Karen Preston
Child Development Associate Advisor/Professional Development Specialist
Arizona Western College
Karen.Preston@azwestern.edu
928-317-6107
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Caption information:
Pictured in the back row (from left to right) Grace Garcia, Administrative Secretary; Veronica Chacon, AZ Early Childhood Workforce Registry Director and Arizona PBS Assistant Director; Karen Preston, Child Development Associate Advisor/Professional Development Specialist; Misty Haas, Arizona PBS Regional Coordinator for the Yuma Region; Alma Barrandey, Child Development Learning Lab (CDLL) Director; Susie O’Brien, CDLL Teacher; Stuart Gibson, Associate Dean of Business, Education and Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Judith Gutierrez, CDLL Teacher. Seated (from left to right) are CDLL Teachers Crystal Renteria and Melissa Romero.