Supporting Continuous Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators: Comparing and Contrasting Jamaican and Canadian Experiences

Clarke, Velrose Spence; DeHaan, Rhoena

Supporting Continuous Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators: Comparing and Contrasting Jamaican and Canadian Experiences

dc.contributor.author	Clarke, Velrose Spence
dc.contributor.author	DeHaan, Rhoena
dc.date.accessioned	2021-08-06T21:58:35Z
dc.date.available	2021-08-06T21:58:35Z
dc.date.issued	2020-04-01
dc.description	Acknowledgements: Our gratitude goes to the Applied Research and Innovation team, Dr. Augusto Legaspi, Rodney Steadman, and Vanessa Lodermeier for generously offering their time and expertise to us throughout the study. We also would like to offer thanks to Cheryl Kinzel, for her support and guidance given during her role as former ECED program chair	en_US
dc.description.abstract	Continued Professional Development (PD) for Early Childhood Educators (ECE) is of the utmost importance mainly because of its impact on education and the potential of the dynamic universal changes that is sometimes latent in its manifestation. This research project compares PD experiences and needs in Calgary (Canada) and Jamaica, assists in bridging the existing gap between theory and practice, and promotes partnerships. The project design includes two phases: During the first phase, surveys and interviews were conducted to identify the PD needs and experiences, and in the second phase we addressed the gaps and needs through workshop implementation in Jamaica. The research confirms and substantiates our beliefs that meaningful PD positively influences professional growth and best practices which occur when participants are given the opportunity to provide input in the decision making processes with ongoing support from owners, administrators and governments. Additionally, our project recommends that PD can be sustained through established learning communities and partnerships amongst colleagues in Calgary and Jamaica.	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Spence Clarke, V., & DeHaan, R. (2020). Supporting continuous professional development of early childhood educators: Comparing and contrasting Jamaican and Canadian experiences [Report]. Bow Valley College. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113715	en_US
dc.identifier.doi	http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39081
dc.language.iso	eng	en_US
dc.publisher	Bow Valley College	en_US
dc.publisher.department	Early Learning and Childcare	en_US
dc.publisher.institution	Bow Valley College	en_US
dc.subject	professional development, early childhood educators, early childhood education - study and teaching	en_US
dc.title	Supporting Continuous Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators: Comparing and Contrasting Jamaican and Canadian Experiences	en_US
dc.type	report	en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopy	false	en_US