
Staff & Retention
Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement in ECE
4 min read
Jul 2, 2025
As a preschool teacher, you play a crucial role in shaping young children's futures. To provide the best possible education to your students, it's important to continuously improve your skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities.
Here are some reasons why professional development is essential for preschool teachers:
The field of early childhood education is constantly evolving, with new research and practices emerging all the time.
Professional development allows you to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and ensure you're using the most effective teaching methods in your classroom.
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a new teacher, professional development can help you improve your skills and become a more effective educator.
This could include workshops on classroom management, lesson planning, or teaching techniques.
Professional development opportunities also provide a chance to network with other preschool teachers and exchange ideas and best practices.
This can be a valuable source of support and inspiration, especially as you navigate the challenges of the classroom.
In many states, preschool teachers are required to complete a certain number of professional development hours each year in order to maintain their teaching license.
By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can fulfill these requirements and ensure you're able to continue teaching in the years to come.
Finally, professional development can provide you with a sense of personal and professional growth.
By investing in professional development, we can ensure that preschool teachers and early childhood staff have the resources and support they need to help children thrive and reach their full potential.

Tamar Andrews
Director of ECE @ American Jewish University
Tamar Andrews, EdD, is an Associate Professor at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Director of the Early Childhood Education Department at American Jewish University. With 30+ years in early childhood as a teacher and director, she led Temple Isaiah Preschool from 2003 to 2023, where she earned NAEYC accreditation and built an award-winning STEM program. Her work inspired her son Daniel to build Playground. She also teaches at UCLA Extension and Santa Monica College and speaks internationally on early childhood education.
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