Question 1

How long is the course?

Accepted Answer

The course is designed to take between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on how quickly the teacher moves through the self-paced content and schedules their coaching sessions. Four weeks is a typical average completion time.

Question 2

What does the course include?

Accepted Answer

About 20 hours in total: 10 short online modules (about 10 hours) on Drexel's Canvas platform, plus 10 hours of classroom practice supported by a coach, including 4 hours of one-on-one coaching from an expert early childhood educator.

Question 3

How does coaching work?

Accepted Answer

Every teacher receives 4 hours of one-on-one coaching, typically 1 hour a week for 4 weeks. Sessions can be shorter, and at least two visits happen in person in the teacher's classroom, with Zoom sessions in between.

Question 4

Where do teachers do the online modules?

Accepted Answer

On Drexel Canvas at canvas.drexel.edu. Teachers receive login details after they are registered and placed in a cohort.

Question 5

Do teachers receive college credits?

Accepted Answer

No. This is a professional development course that is not affiliated with a degree program.

Question 6

Do teachers receive PQAS hours in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion from the School of Education at Drexel University, which directors can manually add to the teacher's PA Keys Registry record to award them 20 hours of professional development.

Question 7

Is this a PDE-approved induction program that can support advancement to Level II certification?

Accepted Answer

Teaching to Thrive is not a PDE-approved educator induction program and does not fulfill the induction requirement for Pennsylvania Level II certification.

Question 8

What is the stipend for registered teachers?

Accepted Answer

Grant-funded teachers receive a $200 stipend when they complete the course.

Question 9

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The course is grant funded and free for teachers at Keystone STAR 3 and STAR 4 centers in Philadelphia. Other centers, in Philadelphia or anywhere in the country, can join on a sliding fee scale. Contact us to learn more.

Question 10

Who can join?

Accepted Answer

Any lead or assistant early childhood teacher hired at their current center within the last 12 months can join. Their center director registers them and confirms their hire date.

Question 11

How do I register my teachers?

Accepted Answer

Center directors fill out a short online form, which takes about 3 minutes. You can register several teachers at once.

Question 12

When can teachers start?

Accepted Answer

A new cohort opens on the 1st of every month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, teachers start on the next weekday.

Question 13

Can directors see their teachers' progress?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Directors can sign in with the email they used to register and see each teacher's start date, status, and assigned coach.

Questions & answers

About the course

Credit and certificates

Cost and eligibility

Registration and cohorts

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