Heather Bernt-Santy on Lillian Katz’s Theory of Teacher’s Developmental Stages

Have you ever considered that in addition to understanding children’s developmental stages to support their growth and learning, teachers in early childhood settings also have developmental needs we can tune in to? Lillian Katz suggested four developmental stages teachers move through as they grow professionally. Understanding these stages will help directors, owners, and other administrators find ways to mentor, train and teach our staff in ways that match those developmental stages.

Join author, professor, and podcast host, Heather Bernt-Santy to revisit Katz’s 1972 article outlining her theory of the developmental stages of preschool teachers: survival, consolidation, renewal, and maturity. Also known as the Early Childhood Nerd because she is just that knowledgeable, Heather will guide program administrators to explore how you can take an active role in shaping teachers’ experiences by understanding them from a development perspective.

In this session you will learn to:

• Define the four developmental stages of teachers as outlined by Lillian Katz

• Identify the training needs of each stage

• Participants will be able to use knowledge of stages and needs to create professional development plans for staff