PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center at SAD 1 has announced that Emma Theriault and Jennifer Robbins have received their national Child Development Associate (CDA) certification from the Council for Professional Recognition.
Theriault and Robbins, both of Caribou, were enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at PIRCTC for two years. They met all classroom requirements, earned their Pediatric First Aid and CPR/AED certification and OSHA 10-hour safety certification, and worked for more than 480 hours in child care/Head Start centers.
The students compiled a portfolio of their work demonstrating that they were knowledgeable of the standards and developmentally appropriate practices, were observed working with young children and interviewed by a professional development specialist, and then sat for the CDA exam in order to earn this certification.
Trudy Gorneault, Early Childhood Education Teacher at PIRCTC, stated that the CDA is the first professional step towards becoming qualified teachers.
Theriault and Robbins were also dually enrolled in Northern Maine Community College’s Early Childhood program while at PIRCTC, and have earned nine college credits. Both students intend to continue their schooling in early childhood education.
