Professional Growth is Important
Even as the temperatures remind us that we are in the “dog days of summer,” we are actively planning for the fall and the school year ahead. Much of our planning right now centers on professional development.
We are delighted that we were able to send six staff members to Atlanta, Georgia in July to attend the annual conference of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA). Teachers had an opportunity to learn more about the Reggio early care and education philosophy that inspires much of our work at PIC. They also were able to visit other child care programs in Atlanta and see the Reggio philosophy throughout those classroom environments. We recognize how transformative such professional development experiences can be, and we are grateful for our PIC Grandfriends Fund that provided the funding for this experience.
Why professional development experiences are so important:
1. Staying relevant
Professional development allows early childhood educators to share, network, and most importantly, remain current in their field. Professional development should always be considered a career-long, never-ending process. It doesn’t stop after earning a degree and starting a career.
2. Being in a community
One of the greatest benefits of professional development is the opportunity to get together with other early childhood educators, both within our own PIC community and beyond. Through these opportunities for interactions, educators share stories, swap ideas, brainstorm and help each other out. The informal learning experience is extremely beneficial.
3. Improve Retention and Practice
Statistics show that early childhood professionals who are given opportunities for professional growth and collaboration stay in the field longer, improve stress levels, and enhance classroom management skills and teaching strategies.
PIC will be closed Wednesday-Friday, August 30, 31 and September 1 for three days of professional development before the new school year begins. The agenda for these days is a mixture of many things, including team building, workshops by age group with outside consultants, teachers sharing new learnings acquired through their own professional development this past year, and celebrations of life events and educational milestones. There is always time built in for teachers to work in their own classrooms to build new team relationships, or expand upon their existing relationships. And as many know, no professional development experience is worth anything without food being offered, and thus there will be food!
Wishing all an August filled with family adventures, sprinkled with some time for rejuvenation.