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In this edition, we’d like to introduce you to Amber Barkman, CDA Completion Specialist for the ECE PDO at PASSHE. Amber comes with a wealth of experience in the early childhood field. Below is an interview that was conducted in an effort to highlight the impact that she has had and continues to have on our work:
Tell us a little bit about yourself, personally.
I was born, raised, and still live in southwestern Pennsylvania. I’m the oldest of three girls. I married my college sweetheart, seven years ago, and we have a wonderful 5-year-old son. He just started Kindergarten, so I’ve been enjoying watching him meet new friends and learn new things! I’ve worked for the Early Learning Resource Center Region 6 since November 2019, and the PASSHE PDO since July 2020.
What is your background in ECE?
I completed my Early Childhood bachelor’s degree at The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. After graduation, I started teaching PreK in my hometown. A few years into teaching, I had an ESL student, and had very little local resources or knowledge to help her. So, I chose to pursue my master’s degree in teaching English as a Second Language through Cal U of PA, while still working and welcoming my baby. With the completion of that, I earned my Level II teaching certificate.
What drew you to the field of ECE?
When I was in fourth grade, I had the most wonderful teacher. At a grade level that was mostly ditto sheets and tons of homework, her courses were very hands-on, and she did everything she could to make learning fun. She is the reason that I chose to join the teaching profession. I wasn’t sure what age level I wanted to teach until my senior year of high school, when I was able to job shadow a Kindergarten teacher every day, and that placement solidified that I was meant to be in the ECE field!
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a CDA Completion specialist?
The CDA process is tricky, so the most rewarding part is being able to help students navigate those challenges and come out on the other side with their CDAs. It is very rewarding to hear them talk about how happy they are to have had the support that I provide, and how they never thought they’d be able to get this far. The icing on the cake is when the students have earned their CDA and it has given them so much confidence, that they choose to pursue additional higher education! It gives me lots of hope for the future of our field!
What do you find to be the biggest challenge of being a CDA Completion specialist?
The various websites used for CDA completion and the application itself can be difficult to navigate. It is the biggest hurdle for CDA candidates.
What are your goals for the ECE field in PA in your current position?
My goal is obviously to help as many ECE professionals as possible to earn their CDAs (and higher). Our field can be very stressful and earning a CDA can be stressful, but I make it my mission to make it as easy as possible for the students that I help. Lastly, and probably my main goal, is to encourage the students to take what they’ve learned through the CDA coursework back to their classroom and put it into their practice, so that the children in their care can benefit from their knowledge!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’ve never been out of the country!
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