1. Teachers’ Views of the Challenges of their Work Tess Bennett, Ph.D. Eastern Illinois University

2. Purpose of Research Identify challenges facing ECE teachers To what extent teacher training prepared them Identify assistance teachers need Suggestions for teacher training

3. What we expect Knowledge Skills Dispositions Observation/Assessment Facilitate life skills Meaningful conversations Hands-on learning

4. Sample Total teachers=63 Teaching preschool=55 Teaching other ages=8 Bachelor’s degree=63 Number of years teaching= 1-35

5. Teaming/Collaboration Built on relationships Professional community Consensus-building Stages of teaming Teacher-teacher Teacher-assistant Mentor-mentee Teacher-specialist

6. Administration Need for support Need for expertise Planning assistance Guidance Leadership Impediments

7. Needs of Children Cross cultural Bilingual Non verbal Social emotional needs Ready to learn

8. Children with Special Needs How to accommodate Social and physical needs Adequate resources Autism spectrum Parents-special issues Teacher support

9. Challenging Behaviors Severe problems One on one support De-escalation techniques Aggression Defiance

10. Time Management Paperwork Time away from children Time to organize for teaching Time to observe

11. Partnerships with Families Low literacy Cultural issues Home visits Grief process Communication Understanding of child

12. Teacher Education More practicum More work with families Creative lesson planning More prep teaching English language learners Train teaching assistants More on teaming Teaching routines Set up classroom More special education

13. Teacher Education More phonics, science, math Handwriting Time management Conflict resolution Connecting lessons Better reading instruction Mixed age, abilities Flexibility