Impacts of TSS early childhood professional development programs on teacher practice

Abstract

This study examined the impacts of Teton Science School (TSS) early childhood professional development programs on teacher practice. TSS early childhood development programs seek to assist early childhood educators with learning and implementing nature-based and Reggio-Emilia inspired approaches within their teaching practices. The data collection methods for this study involved interviews, observations, and surveys of early childhood teachers. Based on the data collected, the evidence suggested that TSS professional development programs have positively affected confidence and commitment within nature-based and Reggio Emilia inspired teacher practice. There is still the need for research pertaining to the effects of professional development programs within early childhood educators. Evidence also suggested that TSS professional development programs had more positive impacts on nature-based learning, particularly within confidence, commitment, and implementation, in comparison to the impacts of Reggio Emilia inspired practice.