Title

Supporting Center Director Success

Author

Sharon Bergen, Concordia University, St. Paul

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Non Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

Program

Early Childhood Education

Capstone Instructor

Cecelia Westby

Second Reader

Carmen Cook

Keywords

early childhood education, leadership training

Abstract

Center directors play an important part in ensuring quality programs for young children. Considerable evidence supports the notion that the director is the program's "gatekeeper to quality' and the person responsible for a positive work environment and the depth of the children's program. Despite the important role director's play, state requirements for director qualification are minimal at best. Although directors typically exceed the minimum qualification in terms of education and experience, lack of administrative experience and insufficient training requirements hamper their performance. Model training programs for center directors are able to impact quality in a number of ways. The training programs increase the director's perceived knowledge and show measurable improvements in work environment and classroom teaching practices.

Knowledge Learning Corporation (KLC) like most early childhood organizations has previously applied an inadequate approach to center director training. Center directors did not perceive the current program as sufficient to meet their needs. A change in the program reflects the lessons learned from model programs and the depth of research on director competencies and effectiveness. The enhanced training program includes thorough needs assessment; twice-yearly company-wide training sessions; train the trainer sessions to enhance use of adult learning theory; training follow up systems; on- going opportunities for director training; and enriched networking opportunities for center directors.

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