ABSTRACT

Education is a never-ending process. When teaching young children, it important for teachers to use professional development, not only to ensure the best learning possibilities for the children they teach, but also to be more effective in all areas of their work. When teachers continue their education using professional development opportunities, they can improve their teaching skills, and use their knowledge to share information with the families in their programs. When children start their educational journey, it is important to create a school to home connection. Using professional development trainings that focus on family engagement, early childhood teachers can learn new strategies for the classroom and to share with families for use at home. This grant will help to strengthen the important school to home bond. Ten Home of the Sailors Preschool teachers will attend three training sessions to learn strategies on the importance of family involvement. Educators will explore the foundations of reading, writing, and math and how to engage families and members of the community in the classroom as well as at home. This grant will also provide families with resources such as books, art supplies and manipulatives for families to use at home. This grant will also help teachers engage parents and families to improve student achievement, develop specific tools and strategies to support family engagement and build confidence in their ability to work effectively with parents. Teachers will learn more about planning and organizing activities that involve families. Professional development trainings will benefit both teachers and the children they teach, by helping teachers become better educators.