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Tina Dearman, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation employee Tina Dearman recently received her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in recognition of her outstanding work with young children. Dearman is a lead teacher at the Cherokee Nation Early Head Start in Tahlequah.

The CDA credential has a positive effect on the quality of childcare. Its impact is evident in center-based care as well as family childcare, the most common form of care for children under 5 years old.

The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., which represents the early childhood profession, awarded the credentials to Dearman. A CDA is awarded to a participant who is able to meet the specific needs of children and who, with parents and other adults, work to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework. Candidates for a CDA are put through an assessment process. Every candidate is observed working with young children or families by an early childhood professional. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work with families to develop children’s physical and intellectual capabilities in a safe and healthy learning environment.

"We are very proud of our staff members that achieve this status," said Verna Thompson, director of Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit. "I am proud that the staff is making a commitment to increase their knowledge and skills, which in turn will improve the quality of care the children in our program will receive."

Dearman has been employed with Cherokee Nation Early Head Start for almost two years. She resides in Tahlequah.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org