Nurturing the Educators Who Nurture Our Youngest Learners

Teaching in early childhood education isn't just a job, it’s a calling. Yet, even the most passionate educators need support to thrive.

Professional development isn't just a safety net for struggling teachers; it's a launchpad for everyone. It builds foundational confidence in new teachers taking their first steps into the classroom, while offering fresh, elevated practices for seasoned veterans, those strong, experienced staff who don’t necessarily need support, but actively seek it to continually refine their craft.

Those who work in this field have a deep love for children and passion to help learn and grow. How can leaders support them, preserve their passion, and make them “classroom ready” before they actually jump into the work?

Redefining the First 90 Days

The earliest phase of a teacher's journey often dictates their long-term trajectory. A recent webinar hosted by Early Learning Leaders shed light on this crucial window, featuring insights from a powerful partnership between LENA and Porter-Leath in Tennessee. Together, they highlighted how the first few months of a teacher’s career are pivotal for building retention, instilling lasting confidence, and setting the stage for long-term professional growth.

Rather than taking a sink-or-swim approach, successful programs are shifting toward structured mentorship and collaborative onboarding.

A Proven Model: Cooperative Teaching

Indiana has emerged as a national leader in this space by developing and implementing an intentional Cooperative Teacher Scope and Sequence.

Designed specifically for an educator's first 90 days of employment, this structured framework pair new hires with experienced mentors, guiding them step-by-step through key milestones, classroom management strategies, and practical application. By grounding new staff in a clear, supportive system, Early Learning Indiana has seen measurable growth in teacher confidence and overall effectiveness.

When we invest in structured support early on, we don't just prepare teachers for the classroom, we protect the passion that brought them to early childhood education in the first place.

Watch the Webinar

Ready to bring these proven retention and onboarding strategies to your own early learning center?

Click here to watch the full webinar recording and explore the strategies in detail.