Home » ExchangeEveryDay » Mature Teachers Matter



ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues


<< Previous Issue | View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> ExchangeEveryDay
Mature Teachers Matter
March 30, 2009
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
In her Exchange article, Mature Teachers Matter (which can be viewed in its entirety on the Exchange web site, and is also one of the articles in the newest Exchange Continuing Education Unit [CEU]), Patricia Scallan Berl discusses why it is important to retain mature teachers (teachers 45 or older), what motivates mature teachers, and provides advice on how to retain and use them most effectively. Here are a few of her ideas for recognizing them:
  • Share positive parent and colleague feedback in center communications and performance reviews
  • Encourage leadership roles in staff committees
  • Seek their insight on past initiatives, what worked, and what didn’t
  • Provide opportunities for networking with other mature colleagues in areas of professional interest
  • Offer a two-week or one-month sabbatical to pursue a special teaching interest or develop a training program on a successful initiative
  • Gather their input when redesigning staff orientation
  • Assist them with forming linkages to community and technical colleges, sponsoring student interns, or presenting to ECE classes


Receive CEUs for reading Exchange articles! Now you can meet your continuing education requirements from your home computer in your spare time! The process is simple, takes place entirely online, and best of all, is extremely affordable. Exchange is proud to offer you this unique opportunity in partnership with University of Wisconsin, Stout.

And, this week only, you can take advantage of a 20% discount on any of the more than 20 sets of Exchange articles, including our newest one, "Staff Challenges," which includes Patricia Berl Scallan's articles on working with new, mid-term, and mature teachers.

ExchangeEveryDay

Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.

What is ExchangeEveryDay?

ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.

Comply to Hand-Washing Codes with Award Winning Portable Sinks by Ozark River. Self-contained with hot/cold water makes Ozark River Portable Hand-Washing Stations an affordable, versatile alternative to plumbing. Beautiful maple laminate locking cabinet, our Quick Connect™ water supply line and with casters, makes it easy to place the sink wherever you need them.


Comments (2)

Displaying All 2 Comments
Diana · March 30, 2009
United States


A better title than 'mature' would be a good start. My mature teachers immediately translate 'mature' to mean OLD. In fact 'experienced' doesn't fly so well either. All I can say is respect your truly mature thinking teachers...they are treasures. Their insight transcends upstart theories and flash in the pan equipment. Your advice on ways to support them is totally accurate. They love to keep learning...if they don't then maybe they do need to retire.

Nora · March 30, 2009
United States


Great article! I agree. After 32 years in this field as both a teacher & a Director, this is my conclusion as it relates to maturity- when I was younger than the parents, they didn't listen to me; when I was the same age as the parents, they didn't listen to me; now I am older than the parents (their parents age!), and they don't want to listen to me!



Post a Comment

Have an account? to submit your comment.


required

Your e-mail address will not be visible to other website visitors.
required
required
required

Check the box below, to help verify that you are not a bot. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this form.



Disclaimer: Exchange reserves the right to remove any comments at its discretion or reprint posted comments in other Exchange materials.