early childhood professional development Archives - Minds On Music

Professional Development for all "Seasons" of Your Music Teaching Career

One of the things that sets Kindermusik educators apart is the requirement to not only be trained to teach our world-class curricula, but also the requirement to maintain and improve through professional development. No matter what “season” you are in with your current or potential Kindermusik career, Kindermusik International offers professional development that’s just what you need when you need it.

When you’re just starting out as a new Kindermusik educator

After a vocal review, the professional development for new Kindermusik educators begins with a rich, in-depth online training course that helps prepare the new educator for everything from learning about each Kindermusik curriculum level to positive classroom management techniques to successful business processes. Under the care and guidance of an experienced Kindermusik mentor, new educators are rewarded with their official Kindermusik license upon completing all of the training requirements.

Once you’ve been teaching Kindermusik for awhile

Just like the good beginning that Kindermusik gives to young children never ends, Kindermusik educators recognize that the journey towards masterful teaching never really ends. Kindermusik International works to provide that additional professional development through Virtual Conferences, recorded webinars, and suggestions for other related training opportunities outside of the Kindermusik community.

When you need a shot in the arm

It happens to the best of us. Because educators give so much of themselves in their classrooms and in the businesses, burnout can start to set in. And when it does, Kindermusik is right there to support and encourage through face-to-face local meetings sponsored by the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators (PKE), recorded webinars, and other regular training and connection opportunities.

If you’re teaching for someone else

Best of all, Kindermusik training is not just for the Kindermusik business owner – it’s for those teachers who are the backbone of that Kindermusik business owner’s program. For Kindermusik educators who teach for someone else, there are training topics about classroom management, pedagogy techniques, child development, relationship-building, and more.

When you’re ready for a change

Teaching Kindermusik is a wonderful choice for teachers, music educators, music therapists, or moms who are looking for something different – and a way to make a difference through music in the lives of children and their families. Kindermusik International provides plenty of helpful tools and lots of friendly guidance to help you make the best choice.
So, whether you are a prospective, newly licensed, or experienced Kindermusik educator, Kindermusik International is right there with you to support and encourage your professional development and personal growth – no matter what “season” you’re in.

Teacher Training is the Best Investment

That’s a bold claim, but it’s true. The best investment all educators or teachers can make is to actively take advantage of ways to constantly improve themselves and to be open to new possibilities. Teacher training matters – it enhances job satisfaction and quality of teaching.
And that’s why Kindermusik educators are some of the best teachers on the planet. They love their job; they’re thrilled to be in the classroom; and they are required to complete regular professional development goals each and every year. Their professional development helps them grow in areas like early childhood professional development, business and marketing skills, classroom management, and more masterful teaching of the world’s best early childhood curriculum – Kindermusik!
If you love teaching children, we’d love to encourage you to consider pursuing the opportunity to teach Kindermusik. You can choose two different paths – teaching for yourself or teaching for an established Kindermusik program. Learn more HERE.

Professional development for teachers linked to ELL reading achievement

English Language Learners comprise an increasingly larger number of students enrolled in public schools in the United States. One study shows a 50 percent increase in the number of ELL students over the past 10 years. This changing face (and language) of the average student in the United States brings new challenges and opportunities for teachers as they balance the implementation of Common Core State Standards with the needs of English Language Learners.

While even veteran teachers receive on-the-job training each day in the classroom, an investment in professional development for teachers can better equip educators and students for measurable success. A study published in the Literacy Research and Instruction journal examined how professional development for teachers affected the reading abilities of ELLs in elementary school classrooms.

Link between professional development for teachers and the reading abilities of English Language Learners

In this study, the research team wanted to examine the correlation among professional development for teachers, classroom implementation of the training, and ELL students’ achievement in reading. Over the course of 18 months, 23 elementary classroom teachers participated in the study. The teachers ranged in experience from early career to veteran teachers. One group received on-going training on using the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, an approach to teaching English Language Learners. The control group did not receive training in this model. The researchers found evidence that English Language Learners showed greater reading abilities when taught by teachers who received the professional development. The researchers suggest that additional studies be conducted to further unpack their initial findings.

Other research shows that teacher training can be key to classroom success for all students, not just English Language Learners, and can increase teacher job satisfaction.

Early childhood professional development for teachers of English Language Learners

ABC Music & Me uses music to teach early literacy and language development to young children and engage families in their children’s education. The research-based curriculum aligns with state standards, including the Common Core, and can be especially beneficial for English Language Learners.

At ABC Music & Me, our commitment to early childhood education extends beyond the creation of easy-to-teach literacy and language curriculum. Our ELL curriculum includes a combination of on-site training, DVD teaching models, and an online teacher resource website. In addition to our “English Language Learners Strategies Guide” that provides unit-by-unit, lesson-by-lesson tips, ABC Music & Me includes materials (available in English and Spanish) for families to use together at home.

To learn more about how ABC Music & Me can be used in your classroom, school, or district with English Language Learners, contact us at info@abcmusicandme.com.

Tag: early childhood professional development