Empowering educators: Training for preschool excellence

The Sembach Professional Development Center hosted an intensive three-day training from Aug. 20-22, bringing together preschool teachers and teams from Europe Central. The primary focus of this professional learning event was to equip educators with the necessary tools and knowledge for the effective implementation of DoDEA's College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS) and the Creative Curriculum® framework in their classrooms, ensuring a high-quality, developmentally appropriate education for all preschool students.

Throughout the sessions, educators not only acquired theoretical knowledge but also engaged in practical exercises to integrate the Creative Curriculum® into their daily classroom activities. This integration emphasizes developmentally appropriate practices rooted in child-centered, play-based learning. Additionally, participants delved into ReadyRosie™, a family engagement tool designed to aid parents in fostering their children's social-emotional well-being and academic growth. A significant portion of the training was dedicated to comprehending and implementing the CCRS for prekindergarten. 

The emphasis lay on facilitating the holistic development of young children across social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language areas. Educators collaborated closely with the Objectives for Development and Learning: Birth Through Third Grade (ODL), a comprehensive framework aligned with CCRS, which guides teachers in observing and supporting children's progress across these critical areas. The training also prioritized the creation of classroom environments that promote learning and growth, aligned with DoDEA's rigorous standards for equitable and engaging instruction. 

Educators honed their skills in the collection and analysis of student data, a vital component in effectively monitoring and supporting the development of each child. Beyond the technical aspects, this event underscored the importance of building a strong community of educators committed to delivering high-quality instruction. The sessions reinforced the significance of family engagement, highlighting the role of parents as active partners in their children's education—a fundamental tenet of DoDEA's approach to early childhood education and a source of support for our educators. As the week concluded, the newfound skills and dynamic professional learning community our educators acquired left them fully prepared to lead the way in creating vibrant, engaging classrooms that ensure evparticipatesery child's success.