Welcome, New and Returning Educators!

Your role is of utmost importance, as the quality of care and education that young children receive plays a significant role in shaping their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development, influencing their success in both school and life. Teaching in the early childhood education realm is meaningful work, but it also comes with challenges.

At Durham PreK, we are here to support you. We understand the value, as well as the challenges, of fostering an environment of excellence in early care and education. That's why we are thrilled to introduce you to our Technical Assistance (TA) services, specially designed to support the teachers at the heart of our programs, as you strive to enhance your instructional practices and offer high-quality learning experiences to Durham’s children.

Customized Support

Our Technical Assistance Coaches recognize that each classroom team is unique, with its own set of needs and goals. That's why our approach to coaching is built on forming strong working relationships with teachers, ensuring that our TA services are tailored to bring out the best in each classroom. Our goal is to partner with you as you strive for the highest quality care and education for the children under your guidance.

Why Technical Assistance?

With our Technical Assistance program, you gain access to a range of benefits that can elevate your teaching practice and enrich the learning experiences you provide. 

1. Explore Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Our team will help you explore and implement developmentally appropriate practices that foster the optimal growth and development of each child in your care.
2. Focus on Teaching and Learning: We assist you in honing your teaching skills, enabling you to create engaging, effective, and age-appropriate learning experiences for your students.
3. Access to a Team of Early Childhood Experts: As part of our TA services, you'll have the support of a team of experienced early childhood professionals who are dedicated to helping you succeed in your role as an educator.
4. Support Your Teaching Goals: We understand that professional development and education is a continuous journey. Thus, we provide ongoing assistance and resources to support your professional growth and learning.
5. Strengthen Communication Skills to Work with Families: Effective communication with families is key to building strong partnerships and fostering children's holistic development. Our experienced TA team can offer effective strategies to engage with families in meaningful ways.
6. Create an Environment for Early Learning: We believe that the learning environment is crucial to a child's growth. Our TA program includes assistance in classroom enhancement and design, ensuring both indoor and outdoor spaces are optimized for early learning experiences.
7. Professional Development Planning and Education: We strive to connect you with the resources you need to continuously enhance your skills and knowledge. This school year we are excited to offer DPK teachers free, on-demand webinars on topics of interest that you can access at any time to not only gain knowledge, but CEUs as well! Check out our PD calendar for up-to-date offerings. But wait, there’s more! TA coaches can connect you to Durham Early Educator Apprenticeships and scholarships through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood®. Talk to your TA Coach to find the opportunity that’s best for you.
   

What Does Technical Assistance Include?

Our comprehensive TA program covers a wide range of support services designed to address your unique needs as an educator:

1. On-Site Coaching and Classroom Modeling: Our coaches provide hands-on support, visiting your classrooms to offer personalized guidance and demonstrate effective teaching practices.
2. Access to a Variety of Early Childhood Resources: Our extensive collection of resources and materials will aid you in refining your teaching methods and creating enriching educational experiences. Durham PreK has not one, but TWO Lending Libraries stocked with Creative Curriculum, Foundation Tools, Dial-4 materials, plus more! Our staff will pack them up and deliver them to your site. Simply complete the CCSA request form and/or the DPfC request form to get started.
3. Assistance with Assessment Tools: We can help you navigate and implement assessment tools, such as environment rating scales, to gauge and improve the quality of your learning environment.
4. On-Site, Individualized Training: Tailored training sessions provide you with practical knowledge and skills directly applicable to your classroom setting.
5. Help with Curriculum Planning and Implementation: TA coaches can assist you in developing and implementing effective curricula that align with best practices and educational standards.

As you embark on this exciting new school year, we invite you to take full advantage of our Technical Assistance services. Being a part of Durham PreK means you play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of young children, setting them on a path to success in their educational journey and beyond. Always remember that you are not alone! We are here to partner and support you every step of the way and are thrilled to have you as part of our community of passionate educators committed to providing the highest quality care and education for Durham’s children.

As you invest in the future of these young minds, you are making a difference that will last a lifetime. We look forward to connecting with you and can't wait to kick off the school year at Summer Institute on August 17 and 18!

Happy teaching!