The Induction of Early Childhood Educators - by Laura K Doan

Book Synopsis

The Induction of Early Childhood Educators presents new strategies for reducing the number of educators who are leaving the field within the first five years of work. Based on new research carried out with beginning early childhood educators in British Columbia, Canada, Laura K. Doan proposes a set of new best-practices in mentoring and inducting novice early childhood educators. The book offers a clear insight into the needs, identity, challenges, joys, frustrations, isolation, triumphs and support that all new educators face. The chapters cover a range of theoretical approaches such as communities of practice, teacher efficacy, adult learning theory, and professional identity development and show how these can be applied to mentoring, observations, feedback and continuing professional development. While the primary research was carried out in the Canadian context, Doan shows how best practice can be applied elsewhere with examples from around the world.

Review Quotes

The evidence presented in this book tells a salutary tale about the challenges faced by novice early childhood teachers as they embark on their career in the early childhood profession. Laura describes how, in the main, these teachers receive little or no support and are essentially, left to sink or swim. Unfortunately, these challenges are not unique to early childhood teachers in British Columbia, and are replicated in many countries internationally. However, the book presents a way forward. Directed toward policy makers, the broader ECEC community, the workplace setting, and the beginning early childhood teacher, the Doan future focused model of mentoring offers hope for existing and future early childhood teachers.

About the Author

Laura K. Doan is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at Thompson Rivers University, Canada.