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Supporting Early Childhood Educators Helps the Entire Community

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Educators with credentials produce better outcomes for children, according to the many studies that Usma cites. And she provides recommendations that can help lower the roadblocks early childhood teachers face to earning credentials.

Published

2 years ago

August 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Council for Professional Recognition

The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate^® (CDA) credential, is proud to highlight new insights. Usma Mohamed, the Council’s vice president of brand experience and marketing, recently gave these educators a chance to share their views in her doctoral dissertation: Uncertified Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Perceptions of ECE Certifications: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study. Usma’s study makes a strong contribution as our country continues to face a shortage of qualified early childhood teachers. And it’s an issue that has a major impact on children, as Usma points out. Teachers with specialized ECE training are better equipped to help children learn at the most formative stage in life, and the learning scaffolding these teachers provide makes a long-term impact.

But it’s another story in low-income communities like the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, where Usma conducted her research in the field. The region has lower-quality early learning programs than wealthier parts of the state. And it isn’t unique. Texas has met only four out of ten quality benchmarks for early childhood education, as defined by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). And the shortfall is especially acute when it comes to assistant teachers. In Texas, as in other states, the qualifications for assistant teachers do not meet NIEER recommended criteria like holding a Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential or similar certification.

The lack of qualified assistant educators or teachers is a cause for concern, as Usma points out, since assistant teachers play a vital role in early learning settings, often sharing classroom responsibilities with lead teachers. Unqualified assistant teachers are especially common in areas, like the Lower Rio Grande Valley, which have large minority populations, high poverty rates, and lower per-capita incomes. Areas like the Lower Rio Grande Valley also have lower-quality early learning programs than wealthier parts of the state, and that’s a roadblock as the region strives to improve early learning programs, prepare children for success, and ultimately cut poverty levels down. Granted, the region is expanding access to early learning programs, but it struggles to raise their quality due to the shortage of certified teachers.

Usma explored the reasons for this roadblock through in-depth interviews with seven uncertified teachers at a preschool in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. They conveyed their thoughts by sharing their lived experiences to uncover insights to support the following questions: What perceptions do uncertified ECE teachers have toward certification training? What are uncertified teachers’ perceptions regarding the degree to which ECE certification would or would not add to their knowledge and skills? And how do uncertified teachers perceive their current ability to teach children effectively?

The stories that teachers shared revealed both personal and professional factors that deterred the teachers from pursuing credentials such as the CDA. The roadblocks to certification, as Usma learned, include time constraints, the perceived difficulty of certification, lack of awareness of credentials, and such high confidence in their teaching skills that teachers didn’t feel they needed training. In addition, strong support from colleagues and the importance of their family duties made teachers question the merits of pursuing ECE credentials. Yet they did not question the value of their profession. The stories they shared revealed the passion, pride, and sense of commitment they brought to serving young children well.

Some teachers even acknowledged that earning an ECE credential or certification would assist them in their work. And it is important for education leaders to also acknowledge the factors that can prevent many early childhood teachers from pursuing this goal. Understanding the context of their daily life and perceptions of specialized training is crucial for boosting the number of credentialed early childhood teachers. And it’s especially urgent for underserved communities both in Texas and beyond.

That will be a challenge for educators and for those who support them. Still, the effort is worthwhile. Educators with credentials produce better outcomes for children, according to the many studies that Usma cites. And she provides recommendations that can help lower the roadblocks early childhood teachers face to earning credentials. For example, states and localities can build a more qualified workforce by using block grants and funding to help educators earn an ECE certification or credential. Center directors can urge teachers to make credentials a priority and show them how it would enhance their teaching skills. Accreditation organizations can provide detailed rationales for the importance of teacher certification. Credentialing organizations can tailor their outreach to highlight specific benefits for centers, teachers, and students.

Future studies should explore incentives for uncertified teachers to pursue certification nationwide. These efforts should take account of teachers’ real-life challenges and stories, like the ones that Usma heard. Her insights contribute to an understanding of why more teachers don’t earn credentials, ways to help them succeed in doing so, and why it matters so much. Granted, early childhood teachers contend with other commitments and face constraints on their time. But Usma urges policymakers and education leaders to find ways to help more teachers earn credentials for the sake of those they serve. Qualified early childhood teachers, as she points out, have the skills to help young children someday tell success stories of their own.

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.