Mary Gardner's Path Taken to Earn the Infant and Toddler CDA Credential

My name is Mary Gardner. I am going into my tenth year as a teacher in early childhood education. I recently got married to an amazing man and moved to Annapolis, Maryland. When I moved, half my certificates earned in Arizona were not transferable. This meant that I had a lot of work to complete to get re-certified. And it meant I had to start work as a childcare aide instead of a teacher. It was difficult to start over because I was an assistant director in Arizona for 3 ½ years.

I decided to earn my CDA Credential and my associate degree. I applied to the Maryland State Board of Education’s (MSDE) CDA Training Initiative Program for financial assistance and was accepted. The approval paid for my 3 book bundle and the 120 hours of classwork to earn my CDA Credential. I have worked with all age groups but chose to earn the Infant and Toddler CDA Credential.

I would like to thank MSDE CDA Training Initiative for giving me the opportunity and power to change my life for the better. My new credential and certificates have allowed me to become a lead teacher, not just an aide.

A wonderful ChildCareED grant specialist named Wendy Bolyn helped me every step of the way. And I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for guiding me through this process and helping me achieve my goals. I would give Wendy a rating of 10+ stars for her expertise, knowledge, and her work with me. 

I have five kids myself. Four daughters and one son, and the youngest kids are twins. My husband Mike has four kids as well, so together we have our own little football team with three more daughters and one more son. The opportunity given to me by the MSDE CDA Credentialing Program will help me with my future dream of opening my own childcare program and improving life for my family. Childcare is my passion, teaching the younger generation how they can succeed in doing what they love.

I want to extend my deepest thanks to the MSDE CDA Credential Initiative Program for their financial assistance and Kiddie Academy for hiring me. I really love the kids in my class and their families who appreciate what I do for their children.