Qualities of an Early Childhood Teacher

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER - a specifically trained professional who works with children from infancy to age eight.

QUALITIES OF EC TEACHER (According to Elly Almy)
Millie Almy, an internationally known expert in early childhood development and education, died at her home in Berkeley on August 15, 2001 at age 86. Professor Almy played a leading role in the early stages of preschool education in the United States.

a.   with common sense            b. patience
c.   warmth               d. nurturance
e.   energy                  f. mature
g.   open to new ideas            h. high level of tolerance
i.   ability to move easily between the
concrete level of thinking of the child

Teacher’s Developmental Stages

Stage 1: SURVIVAL       - focused on whether they will survive.
-   realization of a great responsibility they have for children
-   feeling of inadequacy
NEED
-   support, encouragement and guidance

Stage 2: CONSOLIDATION – focus on specific tasks
-   attend to specific to problem children
NEED
-   continued on-site training, exploration of alternatives

Stage 3: RENEWAL      - begin to seek some new approaches and ideas
            NEED
-   seeking renewal by meeting with colleagues,
-   professional organizations, seminars, books
-   visitations
Stage 4: MATURITY      - asking deeper and more abstract questions
-   looks at the broader implications of their work in the context of a larger society.
NEED
-   Reads widely
-   Interacts with others through seminars

TEACHING STAFF – are people who work directly with children

LEVEL 1: Teacher Assistant- Preschool major, student teacher
            - show genuine
LEVEL 2: Teacher – Graduate of BEED – Preschool
-   gains greater, higher theoretical
LEVEL 3: Specialist – Post graduate or advance degree in ECE
-   involved in supervision, training, administration, and curriculum design.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

1.   NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children
2.   ACEI – Association for Childhood Education International
(Source: Eva Essa, Intro to ECE)