Professional Development Institute at Educare Arizona
Improving early childhood education quality and practice for better child outcomes
The vision and purpose of the Professional Development Institute (PDI) is to serve as the state’s leading early learning professional workforce development entity.
A centralized institute at Educare Arizona brings all of the components needed for high-quality early childhood education (ECE) professional development to one place. It also acts as a living laboratory that includes the opportunity for direct observation of high-quality teaching practices and environments, hands-on learning focused on individual teacher and/or director professional development needs, innovative technical assistance offerings for professionals, and ongoing ECE practice-embedded research studies.
Components include:
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- Highly-educated and experienced teaching and coaching staff
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- Strong relationships with the major public and private players in Arizona’s ECE system, including government entities, community colleges and universities, independent researchers, ECE providers and community-based organizations
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- A place for early childhood education teachers and leaders to observe the delivery and impact of high-quality programs and environments
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- Coaching and embedded learning in classroom activities and routines
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- Internships and practicum opportunities
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- Distance learning programs
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- Opportunities for professionals to network and build a community of practice