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Helping Teachers Grow: Toward Theory and Practice of an “Emergent Curriculum” Model of Staff Development

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Abstract

A model of developmentally appropriate practice in helping teachers grow is described. The model derives from a consideration of the psychological processes by which adults learn, and our desire to teach adults by the same methods we hope they will use in teaching children. The model includes a sequence of six kinds of interactions that the teacher trainer engages in with the teacher, from building trust to eliciting self-exploration. The concrete actions we take to create these kinds of interactions are described. This model of professional development was applied by a statewide project to increase the quality of child care in 150 classrooms serving primarily children from low-income families. Initial evaluations suggest it is working as hoped.

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Correspondence to David A. Riley.

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Riley, D.A., Roach, M.A. Helping Teachers Grow: Toward Theory and Practice of an “Emergent Curriculum” Model of Staff Development. Early Childhood Educ J 33, 363–370 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-006-0068-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-006-0068-0

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