Seven graduates received their Spanish Child Development Associate credentials Tuesday, Nov. 10, 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 program is designed to help Spanish-speaking parents and educators enter the early education field to meet the demand for qualified educators at child care 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 child care 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 has graduated 71 students since its inception in 2023. The fall 2026 cohort is the eighth to complete this program.
Graduates and staff for the bilingual Child Development Associate (CDA) credential program at GNTC pose for a photo before the CDA Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 10. (From left, front row) Fabiola Martinez, Dalila Martinez Alarcon, Kimberly Chavez, Maria Elida Soria Aguirre; (second row) Jacqueline Palomo, Alma Arely Cruz Figueroa, Isela Viridiana Pina Ortiz; (back row) Carolina Lopez, CDA field placement coordinator at GNTC, and Jenny Lopez, CDA instructor at GNTC.
Laurie Brooks, Adult Education Career Services specialist at GNTC, led the processional, and Shaw welcomed guests.
“This ceremony is public recognition of your accomplishments and GNTC’s pride in your achievement,” Shaw said. “Not only have you mastered the skills needed to obtain your credential, but you have also learned to push through difficulties to achieve your goals.”
“I can’t wait to see how you impact the lives that you are going to touch each and every day,” Shaw said.
Jenny Lopez, CDA instructor at GNTC, gave special remarks, observing that all the graduates are currently working in the child care field, which is “the whole purpose of the program.”
Jenny Lopez told the graduates that “each of you has the potential to achieve greatness” and encouraged them to continue their education.
“I believe this journey was as much about personal growth as it was academic achievement, and it does not end here,” Jenny Lopez said. “The skills and knowledge you acquired are tools that you can use to build a better world, especially in the lives of children.”
She urged the graduates to make a difference in the lives of their children, families and the community.
“My biggest motivation is my daughter. She told me that we must keep moving forward,” said Alma Arely Cruz Figueroa, a CDA student and guest speaker at the ceremony.
“We are all on different paths, but we started the journey together,” Cruz Figueroa told the graduates. “I will always carry you in my heart.”
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 Kimberly Chavez, Dalton; Alma Arely Cruz Figueroa, Dalton; Fabiola Martinez, Tunnel Hill; Dalila Martinez Alarcon, Dalton; Jacqueline Palomo, Chatsworth; Isela Viridiana Pina Ortiz, Cohutta; and Maria Elida Soria Aguirre, Dalton.
Cruz Figueroa, Martinez and Palomo will also graduate from GNTC at the 2026 Fall Commencement Ceremony in Dalton on Dec. 2 with a Child Development Specialist certificate.
Martinez and Martinez Alarcon were recognized for their perfect attendance throughout the class.
Funding for the CDA Pipeline Grants was provided by DECAL and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
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.
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