The Power of Perseverance: Alexandra Ruiz’s CDA® Journey
At the Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC), we believe that success is not defined by how quickly one arrives at the finish line but by the strength, courage, and persistence it takes to keep going.
For Delaware educator Alexandra Ruiz, that belief came to life in her journey toward earning the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential.
When Ms. Ruiz began her CDA® journey, she was eager and determined. Yet, like many early educators balancing work, family, and studies, the path was filled with challenges that tested her resolve. The CDA® exam required focus, confidence, and trust in her own ability, and there were moments when the road felt uncertain.
But Alexandra refused to give up. Guided by her determination and the steady encouragement of Patrice Jones-Cornish, the ECIC’s CDA® Navigator, she found the confidence to keep moving forward.
Behind every success story is a voice that says, “You can do it.” For Alexandra, that voice belonged to Patrice, who reminded her that perseverance is often the bridge between challenge and achievement. Through ongoing guidance, reassurance, and words of belief, Patrice helped her rediscover her strength and resilience.
“I told her she was going to pass,” Patrice recalls. “Sometimes all someone needs is a reminder of their own power. Alexandra just needed to believe it again.”
And she did. When she finally received the news of her success, her joy was contagious. It was a moment of triumph that reflected every ounce of hard work and heart she had poured into her journey.
“I passed!” she wrote, her message overflowing with pride and gratitude. “Thank you for believing in me.”
Alexandra’s story is more than a celebration of one scholar’s success. It is a testament to the resilience within Delaware’s early childhood workforce. Her journey embodies the ECIC mission to empower, support, and elevate the professionals who nurture our youngest learners.
At the ECIC, we do not just prepare educators for exams. We walk beside them through doubts, through restarts, and through breakthroughs until they reach their goals.
💙 Congratulations, Ms. Ruiz.
Your perseverance reflects the spirit of Delaware’s early childhood community: resilient, passionate, and always learning.