Rasmussen College Names Michelle Beedle Director Of Knowledge Universe Partnership
Former College School of Education Coordinator to oversee noteworthy CDA-prep program
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (April 11, 2012) – Rasmussen College is proud to announce the promotion of Michelle Beedle to Partnership Director, Knowledge Universe. The partnership between Rasmussen College and Knowledge Universe highlights a specialized 9-month, online, Early Childhood Education training program developed specifically for Knowledge Universe employees preparing to earn their Child Development Associates (CDA) credential. Knowledge Universe, which is widely known for its more than 3,700 Kindercare and Knowledge Beginnings facilities worldwide, selected Rasmussen College from over 20 colleges and universities to become its new preferred education provider in November 2011. Over 500 learners have already enrolled in the program.
Beedle spent the past four years serving as the School of Education Coordinator at the Rasmussen College Lake Elmo/Woodbury campus in Lake Elmo, Minn. She is credited with helping to develop and build the early childhood program at the campus.
“Michelle has worked tirelessly to improve the early childhood student experience and to forge strong relationships in our local community,” said Rasmussen College School of Education Director, Cecelia Westby. “Her focus has always been on providing a strong and positive experience for our students whether online or in the classroom, and Michelle has been instrumental in building and growing our partnership with Knowledge Universe. We are very proud and excited of her new appointment.”
Prior to her career at Rasmussen College, Beedle spent 14 years working in the Early Childhood Education field as a center director, a teacher and supervisor in the local public school system, and as an Early Childhood Education teacher.
She holds a Master of Arts in Education degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Marquette University. Beedle is an active member of the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
The Rasmussen College CDA Prep Program developed for Knowledge Universe is a fully online program consisting of three courses: Foundations of Child Development, Curriculum and Instruction, and Health, Safety and Nutrition. The program helps prepare employees to receive their Child Development Associate credential, the most widely recognized and only national credential in early childhood education. The program culminates with students finalizing their CDA application to the national Council for Professional Recognition.
Knowledge Universe employees that complete the CDA Prep Program will be able to transfer the credits earned into degree programs for future advancement.
For more information about Rasmussen College CDA prep program for Knowledge Universe, visit www.rasmussen.edu/ku.

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Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through career-focused educational programs and public service. Rasmussen College offers Certificate and Diploma programs through Associate's and Bachelor's degrees online and across its 24 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.
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