Communities of Practice as Comprehensive Induction for Early Career Early Childhood Educators

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Building the Bridge: Developing Tailored Induction Models for Diverse Early-Career Educators

Abstract

Early career early childhood educators face numerous challenges that impact their ongoing learning, reflective practice, and retention. This study presents an extended induction model designed to better understand the dilemmas of early career educators’ practice and to foster collective reflection. Using qualitative methods, including analysis of five structured Communities of Practice (CoP) sessions and written reflections, the experiences of four early career early childhood K-3 educators are examined. Findings suggest that a CoP can serve as an effective induction model, offering a supportive environment for reflection during a critical career phase. Key components contributing to participants’ growth included mutual engagement, structured spaces for dialogue, and guided conversation protocols that supported transformational learning.

Author

• Melissa Siller, University of the Incarnate Word