Training Program For Kindergarten Teachers In Israel Professional Development As Second Career

Abstract

A new program, developed at a college of education in Israel, seeking to train kindergarten teachers. Target population comprises kindergarten teaching assistants and auxiliary personnel, to provide them with an employment horizon and social mobility, by improving their social status through academic education, which in the past was difficult for them to access. The article presents this program and its uniqueness against traditional kindergarten teachers' training programs. While the latter are based on four years of academic study followed by full integration into work in the field, this program recognizes participants’ practical experience in the field. It allows for the learning environment to be adapted to their lifestyle as family members and employees, to gain experience in guided practical work parallel to their studies throughout their training period, to apply their academic and pedagogic knowledge on a day-to-day basis, and to customize studies and empower students. This article presents the program in comparison to the concept of "On-The-Job" training (OJT), common in other occupations. Faced with a severe shortage of quality kindergarten teachers, education systems need to encourage kindergarten teaching assistants to work, learn and gain experience all at the same time, and help them cope with academic load. Change is needed in a field to attract more applicants and contribute to their sense of coherence, self-efficacy and future orientation. Program contribution will be studied in a PhD research.