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Julie Bighorse, Child Development Associate

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

"We are very proud of our staff," 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."

Caregivers, with CDA certification, work to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework.

Bighorse has been employed with Cherokee Nation Early Head Start in Pryor for almost three years. She and husband, Ed, have four children.

The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., which represents the early childhood profession, awarded the credentials to Bighorse.

For information about the Cherokee Nation Early Head Start programs throughout the Cherokee Nation’s jurisdiction, contact Diane Woodard or Carla Hatfield, phone: 918-458-4393.

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