Hopkins-Locke Staff Member Earns CDA

posted 4/2/24 -- “Children are fascinating little people,” said Nilsa Baez, explaining why she wanted to learn more about how to help them.

Baez, a Family Service Associate at Hopkins-Locke Head Start, already has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After working at the Lorain County Department of Job and Family Services for 16 years, she moved to Head Start 10 years ago.

“I worked on getting my Child Development Associate credential to further my education and because I like to work with children,” she said. “I will be better able to help the teachers.”

Baez said creating a portfolio and being observed in the classroom were the most challenging parts of the process to earn her credential. The CDA is considered the foundational credential for the Early Childhood Education profession.

Baez is one of nine LCCAA Head Start employees to earn the credential in the past few months.