| Stage of Development of Teachers - LifeWay |
Stage 1: Survival
Developmental Tasks
During this stage which may last throughout the first year of teaching, the teacher's main concern is whether or not she can survive. "Can I get through the session?" "Can I last to the end of the year?" The discrepancy between anticipated successes and classroom realities intensifies feelings of being inadequate and unprepared.
Training Needs
During this stage the teacher needs support, understanding, encouragement, reassurance and guidance. She needs instruction in basic teaching skills and insight into the preschool child and his growth and development. This help may come from other teachers or supervisors serving in a mentoring role.
Stage 2: Consolidation
Developmental Tasks
By the end of the first year the teacher is ready to consolidate overall gains made during the first stage. The teacher may begin to feel confident in her role. She begins to focus on specific ministry needs of individual children and families.
Training Needs
On site training continues to be valuable. Teachers can be helped through mutual exploration of problems. The teacher needs information about specific children. She needs to become aware and use wider range of resources. Opportunitites to share feelings with other teachers in the same stage of development may help to reduce feelings of frustration and inadequacy. This is also a good time for goal setting and to identify specific areas where improvements are needed.
Stage 3: Renewal
Developmental Tasks
Often the teacher during the third or fourth year of teaching may begin to lose some of his enthusiasm and motivation. He may tire of doing the same old things. New motivations are needed and attitudes need refreshing. If a teacher begins to have negative attitudes or complacent feelings, he will likely respond to children in a negative and ineffective manner.
Training Needs
Recognize that renewal is needed and important at this stage, otherwise the teacher may become so ineffective that burnout may occur. A teacher at this stage will find it rewarding to meet colleagues from different programs and churches on formal and informal occasions. This teacher needs experiences in regional and national conferences. Professional magazines, books and videos offer excellent training for the teacher at this stage.
Stage 4: Maturity
Developmental Tasks
Some teachers may reach maturity within three years. Others may take longer. The teacher has now come to grips with herself as a teacher and may feel a passion for teaching. She now asks more abstract questions such as: "How much does growth influence learning? What and how should children be taught during early years?" A teacher in this stage may be willing to mentor others.
Training Needs
Training is still a top priority. As experience and growth occur, training needs change. The teacher should continue to particiapate in conferences and seminars. Mature teachers need to interact with educators and other teachers.
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