Gretchen’s House Foundation Launches Teacher Exchange Program
Gretchen’s House Foundation, in partnership with the HighScope Educational Research Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, has launched an exciting new initiative: the Teacher Exchange Program. This unique opportunity is designed to support the professional development of early childhood educators through onsite classroom learning exchanges.
January 28-31, 2025, Gretchen’s House Foundation's inaugural Teacher Exchange Program brought together educators from Brynmor Early Education & Preschool (Lorton, VA, and Washington, D.C.) and Gretchen’s House (Ann Arbor, MI). Additional Brynmor-Gretchen’s House exchanges are planned for May 2025. This enriching experience reinforced a shared vision of creating the highest quality education for young children.
“Coaching is crucial for teacher development and child outcomes.”
Study of Coaching in Early Care and Education Settings (SCOPE) 2019
An integral part of our Teacher Exchange Program is the coaching provided by experienced educators. Coaching offers personalized, ongoing professional development, helping teachers to reflect on their practices, implement new strategies, and continuously improve their teaching methods. This collaborative and supportive approach ensures that educators can effectively integrate the high-quality HighScope curriculum into their classrooms. The Study of Coaching Practices in Early Care and Education Settings (SCOPE) 2019, funded by the Administration for Children and Families, reveals that coaching is a crucial component of professional development in early childhood education, positively impacting instructional practices, the quality of the learning environment, and children's outcomes.
Through our Teacher Exchange program educators will have the invaluable opportunity to partner with seasoned peer educators who implement the HighScope curriculum. This will allow participating educators to enhance their ability to create high-quality early childhood education programs and gain the confidence and skills needed to deliver the HighScope curriculum effectively.
HighScope certified childcare centers interested in hosting teacher exchanges, and centers interested in participating in the Teacher Exchange Program to gain hands-on experience with established HighScope program educators, can email info@ghfdn.org.
Key Benefits of the Teacher Exchange Program:
Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience with established HighScope program educators, enhancing teaching practices and confidence in delivering exceptional, high-quality early education.
Collaboration: Join an educational partnership that highlights the power of collaboration in early childhood education. Learn directly from peers, ask questions, and gain firsthand knowledge of best practices and innovative ideas.
Networking Opportunities: Foster lasting professional connections that promote a supportive, collaborative early childhood education community.
Enhanced Classroom Practices: Observe and engage in real classroom environments, adopting innovative ideas to enrich the learning experience for young children.
Curriculum Mastery: Deepen your understanding and expertise in the HighScope curriculum through practical, immersive experiences.
