This case study used in-depth conversational interviews and careful reading of a professional portfolio to explore the basis of one early childhood educator's resilience. The study uncovered influences contributing to her resilience and enabling her to thrive professionally despite difficult circumstances. These influences are: (1) personal…

Explored nurturance as a gender-based quality in early childhood educators. Responses to interviews indicated that, in spite of a shared commitment to caring for children, each generation's experiences of nurturing varied because of distinctive life and career histories and institutional changes in the nature of teaching. (HTH)

The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of the current workforce in early childhood. This report highlights key characteristics of the 2005 early childhood center workforce in Ohio. Survey packets were sent to 3.600 randomly selected centers in April 2005, representing centers licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and…

In this study, data from ECLS-K are used to estimate the degree to which specific aspects of teacher training--the teaching credential and coursework in pedagogy--and teaching experience are associated with student achievement. In addition, the study identifies the teacher-reported instructional practices associated with student achievement gains…

Data were collected from elementary school principals and kindergarten teachers in Texas and Louisiana in an effort to identify qualities that are thought to be important for kindergarten teachers. A questionnaire listing 462 qualities of early childhood teachers was compiled from literature reviews. Subjects were asked to check a maximum of 50…

The purpose of this study is to: (1) identify and assess perceived professional needs of kindergarten teachers; (2) identify perceived professional needs, organizational factors and teachers' characteristics which significantly discriminate between "satisfied teachers" vs. "dissatisfied teachers"; and (3) assess their relative…

Maintains that teachers of young children--at the kindergarten level, for example--need to exhibit understanding rather than patience in working with these children. Asserts that patience is rarely necessary when one is understanding. (BB)

Discusses the process of answering a classified advertisement for employment as a church preschool teacher. (BB)

Investigated the characteristics of early childhood education teachers who both state a belief in developmentally appropriate practices and engage in these practices in their classrooms. Found that beliefs were strongly correlated with practice, and were related to high personal teaching efficacy and internal locus of control, academic background,…

Considers the definition and assessment of creativity, a framework for understanding what occurs during the creative thinking process, and how the caregiver, educator, or helping professional can develop creativity to find solutions to caregiving or managerial problems. Discusses the attributes of creative individuals, and is the importance of…

Provides a humorous 1920 description of the characteristics and development of the ideal nursery school teacher. (BB)

Examined the practices teachers employ to help children and families make the transition to school, and the links between school, teacher, and classroom characteristics and transition practices. Discusses findings on factors influencing transition practice, including teacher experience and training, teacher race or ethnicity, class size, and the…

This article discusses the importance of helping preservice teachers develop a sense of self-awareness. This involves, in part, helping preservice teachers develop an ability to examine and identify the personal characteristics, beliefs and attitudes that make them who they are and influence the way they think about teaching and learning. The…

Article reports results of a study on variations in student teachers' effectiveness with children from nursery through grade school. (Editor/SP)

Discusses the qualifications for early childhood teachers. Considers personal qualities and subject matter competence, and identifies myths concerning who can become an outstanding teacher of young children. Maintains that the prime directive for any teacher is to model, facilitate, and further learning in every student without doing harm to any…