| Title: |
TK Teachers Need Principals to Be Mentors, Not Just Cheerleaders. Data Snapshot |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Anna Powell; Wanzi Muruvi; Lea J. E. Austin; Abby Copeman Petig; University of California, Berkeley. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) |
| Source: |
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. 2025. |
| Availability: |
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. Institute of Industrial Relations, University of California at Berkeley, 2521 Channing Way #5555, Berkeley, CA 94720. Tel: 510-643-7091; Web site: https://cscce.berkeley.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
8 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
Heising-Simons Foundation; Blue Shield of California Foundation; First 5 California |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education; Preschool Education |
| Descriptors: |
Kindergarten; Transitional Programs; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Teacher Supervision; Principals; Teacher Administrator Relationship; Feedback (Response); Mentors; Early Childhood Education |
| Geographic Terms: |
California |
| Abstract: |
In Spring 2024, the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) asked a small sample of transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers: "When your supervisor visits your classroom, what kind of feedback or suggestions do they give? What do they comment on?" One respondent wrote, "She will give feedback on how my lessons went according to what she saw. She has also supported me by allowing me to visit other preschool/TK classrooms." By contrast, another teacher merely stated, "They say how cute the kids are." These two responses hint at a looming challenge for California's elementary schools: as TK becomes a universal grade level in Fall 2025, are principals ready to serve as supervisors and mentors to the growing body of TK teachers? While the first quote shows there are principals who are rolling up their sleeves, the second doesn't inspire confidence. This snapshot shares survey data collected from TK teachers in Spring 2024 as part of the California Early Care and Education Workforce Study. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
ED674680 |
| Database: |
ERIC |