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Students in Trying Together’s summer Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program said the program helped them to learn more about the early childhood education system as well as learn from each other.

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The summer CDA program was the first time Trying Together offered a hybrid course option with an in-person class in the beginning, the middle, and at the end. All other classes in between were virtual. 

Students met with instructors twice a week, every other week, for Zoom classes to review CDA course content and build their professional portfolio. The format of the summer program moved more rapidly than Trying Together’s typical CDA Program, condensing six months of content into three while still maintaining a high standard of quality. 

“I am grateful to have my CDA with Trying Together,” said student Rajlakshmi Ghosh Pal. “The whole team is just amazing. They are so helpful that I feel so confident after being in this class.”

The students were motivated and excelled at relationship building with one another. Between the instructors and students, there was a sturdy support system in which they encouraged one another to keep pushing. 

As instructors presented course content, students shared their own experiences in their classrooms and suggested teaching strategies to each other. The instructors enjoyed seeing the community building between them and their students. 

“This program has helped me to implement different types of learning into my classroom to better help children learn,” student Madison Deithorn said. “I have also learned from classmates their way of teaching to try in my classroom.”

Even though summer classes have wrapped up, the students are continuing to work hard by completing their CDA applications, taking the exam, and being observed in their classroom to showcase their work to earn their CDA Certificate.

Student Maria McCoy said she was glad to have participated in the class and noted that “Trying Together helped me become more aware of the impact that I make in my classroom daily.”

Another student, Denise Hazlip, said the class gave her a greater understanding of the early childhood education system.

“Taking my CDA class has been a valuable and rewarding experience,” she said. “Throughout the course, I have gained a deeper understanding of child development, early learning standards, and the important role that educators play in supporting children and families. The class has not only given me knowledge, but also practical strategies that I can use every day in the classroom.”