Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.1 Chapter 1: Exploring Your Role as a Reflective Practitioner

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.2 Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher: Questions to Consider Do I have what it takes to become a good educator of the very young? What do I believe about how young children learn? Why do I want to work with young children? How do I think about concepts such as equity, diversity, and fairness? What personal qualities and abilities do I possess that will make me successful in working with young children? What kind of early childhood teacher do I want to become? How will I demonstrate my commitment to young children through my work?

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3 Professional Standards Becoming a professional (NAEYC #5) Reflective practitioner  continually evaluates the effects of her/his choices and actions on others (INTASC #9) Professional growth, reflection, and evaluation  candidates are aware of and reflect on their practice (ACEI #5b)

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.4 Teaching in Early Childhood Complexity of teaching  Content  Relationships Involves special responsibility

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.5 Importance of Education in the Early Years Period of rapid growth and development Defines perceptions of education Affects self-concept as a learner Affects later educational experiences

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.6 Early Childhood Programs Family Child Care Group Child Care Preschool/Nursery School Drop-In Child Care Public School Kindergarten & Elementary School

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.7 Features of High-Quality Early Childhood Programs Teacher Characteristics Setting Family Support System Program

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.8 Reflective Practice Rethink, reconsider, reflect, rework craft Decision making Assess consequences Consider what has been called to mind

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.9 Starting the Process of Reflection: Questions to Ask What led me to this career choice? How are my personal characteristics matched to the job?

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Process of Reflection Thinking of myself as a teacher Seeing the child Hypothesizing Questioning Trying out Reflecting afterwards

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Levels of Reflection 1.Self as Teacher 2.Task of Teaching in Context 3.Focus on Outcomes for Students

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Dispositions of a Reflective Practitioner Open-mindedness Responsibility Wholeheartedness Mindful/Relationship-Based Practices

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Characteristics of the Reflective Educator Active  searches for information to problems Persistent  thinks through difficult issues in depth and without tire Careful  expresses concern for self and others  respects students as human beings  creates a positive, nurturing classroom

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Characteristics of the Reflective Educator, Continued Skeptical  realizes there are few absolutes  maintains healthy skepticism about educational theories and practices Rational  demands evidence and applies criteria when making judgments Proactive  reflective thinking translated into positive action

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Roles and Behaviors of Effective Teachers 1.Reflective Practitioner considers students, learning, practices, & curriculum 2.Teacher/Researcher collects & uses data to improve learning 3.Professional Collaborator synthesizes literature, considers educational issues, uses human resources to improve education 4.Assessor in a Constructivist Classroom plans meaningful tasks, gathers appropriate evidence, monitors & supports every child’s success

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved What Is Your Disposition to Become a Reflective Practitioner? Commitment to children Interest & understanding of children’s development Positive outlook on children & families Risk-taking & learning from mistakes Flexibility in thinking & ability to adapt Mastering content & pedagogy Build sense of community; collaboration & support Address problems & make ethical decisions Pursue professional growth