Sixteen graduates received their Spanish Child Development Associate credentials Thursday, July 16, at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) and are now qualified to work in Quality Rated Child Care Centers.
Offered through GNTC’s Office of Adult Education, the bilingual Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program was held at the Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton. This 120-hour training is designed to help Spanish-speaking parents and educators enter the early education field to meet the demand for qualified educators at childcare centers in the Dalton area.
“For many participants, this program has provided a life-changing opportunity to pursue further education and meaningful careers in early childhood education,” said Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC. “Through the CDA program, participants have gained the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to establish lasting careers, strengthen our workforce, support local communities and positively impact the lives of the children they teach.”
According to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), Quality Rated is Georgia’s system to assess, improve and communicate the quality of early education programs and assigns one, two or three stars to early education and school-age childcare programs that meet or exceed the minimum state requirements. The system relies on independent, credentialed early childhood experts to evaluate programs on best practices like teacher qualifications, curriculum and teacher-student ratios.
Established as a partnership between the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, DECAL, Early Childhood Initiative and GNTC, the program yielded 56 students from 2023 through February 2026.
Laurie Brooks, Career Services specialist at GNTC, led the processional, and Shaw welcomed guests.
“This ceremony is public recognition of your hard work, dedication and accomplishment,” Shaw said. “It’s also a public recognition of GNTC’s pride in your achievement.”
Jenny Lopez, CDA instructor at GNTC, gave special remarks, telling graduates that “each of you has the potential to achieve greatness.” She urged them to continue their educations and to surround themselves with people who will inspire them.
“Let’s make a difference in the lives of many children in the community,” Jenny Lopez said. “I believe in you.”
Maria Sandra Gonzalez, a CDA student and guest speaker at the ceremony, said she has lived in Chatsworth since she was 8 years old. When looking for a head start program where she could volunteer, she wanted to stay in Murray County.
The CDA credential “gave me the confidence to become a teacher,” Gonzalez said.
Now she understands why Jenny Lopez had a lot of requirements and expectations from the students. “She was preparing us to become a better version of ourselves,” she said.
Carolina Lopez, CDA field placement coordinator at GNTC, presented the certificates. Shaw gave closing remarks before Jake Bigham, Adult Education Integrated Education and Training (IET) and Workplace Literacy specialist at GNTC, led the recessional.
The program graduates and their hometowns are Yolanda Korina Alvarez, Dalton; Veronica Alvarez Perez, Dalton; Eduwiges Barron, Dalton; Karen Carrillo, Dalton; Elizabeth Cruz Velasquez, Dalton; Elena Garcia, Dalton; Alma Gonzalez; Dalton; Maria Sandra Gonzalez, Chatsworth; Lourdes Guerrero Pacheco, Dalton; Ma Lucia Rodriguez, Dalton; Adrianny Perez Guerra, Dalton; Mariali Retiz, Dalton; Cinthia Sarai Reyes Solorio, Chatsworth; Lieter Reyes Llauger, Dalton; Hannah Salazar, Dalton; and Lizet Zamora Marquez, Chatsworth. This list does not include students who received the credential, but did not participate in the ceremony.
Funding for the CDA Pipeline Grants was provided by DECAL and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
A new class of 20 students will begin in August. For more information about the program or how to join, contact Jenny Lopez, CDA instructor at GNTC, at 706-537-0191.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College delivers high-quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students can pursue associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career pathways, including aviation, business, health, industrial and public service. Over the past year, 14,082 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. The college has an annual credit enrollment of 9,342 students and achieved a 100 percent placement rate. An additional 4,740 individuals are served through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start® programs. For more information about GNTC, visit us at www.GNTC.edu.
# # #