Deck 4: The Teachers and Caregivers

Question 1

Which of the following is the most accurate definition of an early childhood teacher?

A) a person who has worked in the teaching profession for a minimum of ten years
B) a person who imparts knowledge and provides nurturing care to children ages three to six
C) a specifically trained professional who works with children from infancy to age eight
D) an individual who is licensed to provide care to infants and toddlers in a designated facility

Answer 1

a specifically trained professional who works with children from infancy to age eight

Question 2

A person who works in a child care setting is called a(n) ______.

A) administrator
B) caregiver
C) educator
D) volunteer

Answer 2

caregiver

Question 3

What is the traditional distinction between a teacher and a caregiver?

A) A teacher is paid, whereas a caregiver is unpaid.
B) A teacher is male, whereas a caregiver is female.
C) A teacher has a college degree, whereas a caregiver does not.
D) A teacher educates, whereas a caregiver nurtures.

Answer 3

A teacher educates, whereas a caregiver nurtures.

Question 4

From a modern perspective, what distinguishes educators from caregivers?

A) professionalism
B) education
C) compassion
D) experience

Question 5

Tara is an early childhood educator who works as a Head Start instructor. Which of the following behaviors is Tara more likely to demonstrate than child caregivers are?

A) helping a child learn how to tie her own shoes
B) using specialized knowledge and research to make day-to-day judgments
C) providing nurturing care to a child when she is injured while playing
D) monitoring the development of a child and reporting back to the parents

Question 6

Ira is a recent graduate of an early childhood education training program, and he feels driven to make a difference in the lives of young people. What characteristic of good teachers is Ira demonstrating?

A) pragmatism
B) flexibility
C) authenticity
D) passion

Question 7

A teacher who demonstrates perseverance will be willing to ______.

A) sacrifice standards to meet mandated benchmarks
B) fight for what he or she believes in
C) shake up the status quo
D) make compromises with directors or board members

Question 8

Which term refers to a teacher's ability to deal with the unexpected?

A) flexibility
B) creativity
C) authenticity
D) passion

Question 9

Which of the following is an essential component of respect as it relates to teaching?

A) willingness to accept low pay
B) suspicion of authority
C) appreciation of diversity
D) determination to make a difference

Question 10

Serena is a kindergarten teacher who is constantly praised for her authenticity. People notice this about her because she ______.

A) keeps her opinions to herself
B) knows who she is and what she stands for
C) is always willing to compromise with others
D) finds creative solutions to difficult problems

Question 11

A person who frequently, consciously, and voluntarily exhibits a pattern of behavior that is directed toward a broad goal has a specific kind of ______.

A) accreditation
B) pragmatism
C) disposition
D) charisma

Question 12

Which of the following is one of the five most common dispositions shared by effective teachers?

A) determination
B) empathy
C) authoritarianism
D) playfulness

Question 13

Which of the following is a factor that often affects staffing patterns at early childhood programs?

A) program philosophy
B) parent preferences
C) bank interest rates
D) student dispositions

Question 14

A structure in which power trickles down from the top and members in each layer in the structure defer to those above is called a(n) ______.

A) matrix
B) autocracy
C) pyramid
D) holacracy

Question 15

Team teaching refers to a situation in which ______.

A) students are grouped into "learning teams" based on their abilities
B) teachers and parents split instruction duties
C) classes are co-taught by two or more teachers
D) the entire teaching staff is provided with regular training

Question 16

Rita is a staff member at an early childhood program. Her responsibilities include hiring new personnel, setting annual budgets, and approving changes to the facilities, but she also occasionally does some maintenance and cleaning around the building. What is most likely Rita's job title?

A) director
B) head teacher
C) assistant teacher
D) secretary

Question 17

Which staff member is responsible for planning and implementing the daily program to meet the needs of individual children?

A) assistant teacher
B) dietician
C) head teacher
D) director

Question 18

A person who works closely with the head teacher to help implement his or her curriculum on a day-to-day basis is called a(n) ______.

A) custodian
B) assistant teacher
C) board member
D) director

Question 19

Terry is the staff member at an early childhood program who is responsible for daily cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, sanitizing, and garbage disposal. What is Terry's likely job title?

A) custodian
B) assistant teacher
C) secretary
D) board member

Question 20

In what way are board members typically different from directors?

A) They tend to be male, whereas directors tend to be female.
B) They usually do not have a background in early childhood education.
C) They tend to have advanced degrees, whereas directors have undergraduate degrees.
D) They care only about financial matters, not about matters related to child development.

Question 21

Which of the following becomes more important when pursuing an advanced degree at academic teacher training programs?

A) a background in childcare
B) in-class teaching experience
C) a clean driving record
D) theoretical and research knowledge

Question 22

When a person completes an academic teacher training program, he or she will most likely be required to ______.

A) pass the national PRAXIS exam
B) complete a job shadow with a licensed teacher
C) enter a child development associate program
D) seek accreditation from the Association for Early Learning Leaders

Question 23

What do individuals who complete the Child Development Associate program receive?

A) an associate degree
B) a bachelor's degree
C) a professional credential
D) a postgraduate degree

Question 24

Which of the following is one of the six goals of the Child Development Associate program?

A) Advocate for improved compensation for professional educators.
B) Establish positive and productive relationships with families.
C) Focus student learning on the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.
D) Challenge stereotypes and biases embedded in Western culture.

Question 25

Kyung Mi is a preschool teacher who has recently enrolled in the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps Program. Which of the following activities is Kyung Mi likely to engage in?

A) travel to Washington, D.C., to lobby for higher salaries for educators
B) leave teaching for an administrator position
C) pursue additional education and training related to her field
D) organize volunteer campaigns to improve her school facilities

Question 26

As of 2013, what percentage of Head Start teachers nationwide are required to have a baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent combination of education and experience?

A) 10 percent
B) 25 percent
C) 50 percent
D) 75 percent

Question 27

Which of the following is required for ALL Head Start and Early Head Start teachers as of 2013?

A) an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education
B) participation in the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) Program
C) at least 10 years of teaching experience
D) a Child Development Associate credential

Question 28

Which of the following statements accurately describes the status of minimum standards described in the licensing criteria for educators in the United States?

A) Minimum standards are not enforced for early childhood education.
B) Standards vary significantly from state to state.
C) Most college graduates fail to meet the minimum standards on their first try.
D) Minimum standards have been lowered in recent years to attract new teachers.

Question 29

The National Association for the Education of Young Children encourages regulators to adopt minimum licensing standards that are based on ______.

A) research on the needs of young children
B) staffing needs at public schools
C) the average results of national PRAXIS exams
D) traditional cultural values

Question 30

To receive accreditation from the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, early childhood centers must ______.

A) pay an accreditation fee of $25,000
B) undergo rigorous self-study and pass a site visit and assessment
C) be sponsored by another accredited facility
D) have a combined teaching experience of 30 years or more

Question 31

To best understand the importance of their role, early childhood teachers should view themselves as members of a ______.

A) family
B) fraternity or sorority
C) profession
D) higher calling

Question 32

Which of the following helps establish guidelines for behavior and decision-making in the face of moral dilemmas?

A) action research
B) accreditation
C) staff turnover
D) a code of ethics

Question 33

When teachers have to choose between conflicting value systems, they are making decisions of a ______ nature.

A) moral and ethical
B) political and controversial
C) financial and economic
D) superfluous and wasteful

Question 34

Which of the following is the largest early childhood organization in the United States?

A) Division for Early Childhood
B) Southern Early Childhood Association
C) National Association for the Education of Young Children
D) Association for Childhood Education International

Question 35

Young Children and Teaching Young Children are examples of ______.

A) codes of ethics
B) professional journals
C) behavioral handbooks
D) advocacy networks

Question 36

On which age range does the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) focus?

A) infancy through toddlerhood
B) infancy through grade three
C) infancy through early adolescence
D) toddlerhood through late adolescence

Question 37

Which of the following is a main benefit of joining a professional organization?

A) receiving discounts on tuition and teaching supplies
B) having a guaranteed higher starting salary
C) bypassing minimum standards for licensing by the state
D) participating in a support network with others in the field

Question 38

Which of the following is a characteristic of a reflective teacher?

A) following behavioral guidelines at all times
B) stopping to think before acting
C) staying focused on the immediate experience of work
D) having an established set of responses for common occurrences

Question 39

Carlos is a teacher in an early childhood learning center. Every week, he sets a goal for his class and writes a plan for how he expects to accomplish that goal. Carlos is acting in a manner that is ______.

A) intentional
B) reactionary
C) reflective
D) unprofessional

Question 40

Being intentional and being reflective both require ______.

A) experience
B) time
C) help from others
D) funding

Question 41

Which of the following questions indicates a reflective mindset that will lead to success in teaching?

A) How do I avoid causing a scene?
B) What do others think and feel?
C) What is the typical practice?
D) Which solution is easiest?

Question 42

When teachers conduct real-world studies as a way of finding solutions to common problems in the profession, they are engaging in ______.

A) advocacy
B) activism
C) action research
D) continuing education

Question 43

Which of the following is the most significant social and historical factor affecting the status of teachers in the United States today?

A) the influence of religion on politics
B) the lack of legal rights for children
C) the role and status of women
D) the importance of federalism in the constitution

Question 44

The need for child care workers and elementary school teachers are each expected to ______ between 2016 and 2026.

A) decrease by 20 percent
B) decrease by 7 percent
C) increase by 7 percent
D) increase by 20 percent

Question 45

What is the single largest factor contributing to high teacher turnover rates?

A) low pay
B) lack of career advancement
C) lack of diversity
D) low job satisfaction

Question 46

Who is most susceptible to lasting negative effects from teacher turnover?

A) very young children
B) older children
C) parents
D) center directors

Question 47

Which of the following types of early childhood programs is most likely to offer health benefits?

A) independent for-profit centers
B) chain for-profit centers
C) church-sponsored programs
D) nonprofit centers

Question 48

What is the most significant reason why early childhood centers don't offer higher wages and benefits for teachers?

A) Center directors refuse to take pay cuts to increase teacher budgets.
B) The federal government caps teacher compensation at current levels.
C) Raising wages and benefits will make it harder for families to afford child care.
D) There is not enough demand for teachers to justify raising wages and benefits.

Question 49

Zelda has worked in early childhood education for more than a decade. Recently, she has begun to feel stressed, irritable, exploited, and dissatisfied with her job. Zelda is experiencing ______.

A) reflection
B) burnout
C) intentionality
D) empowerment

Question 50

What percentage of early childhood educators are women?

A) 50 percent
B) 65 percent
C) 79 percent
D) 97 percent

Question 51

What is thought to be the most significant barrier to increasing the number of men in early childhood education?

A) high educational and licensing requirements
B) long work hours and lack of vacation time
C) prejudicial attitudes and suspicion against male teachers
D) legal prohibitions against men teaching young girls

Question 52

What purpose does the Call Me MISTER program serve?

A) teaching female educators to fill the role of father figure to children
B) providing tuition assistance and academic support to men studying teaching
C) suing school districts that do not hire enough male teachers
D) conducting background checks on male educators to ensure they pose no risk to children

Question 53

What subject matter has only recently entered the curriculum for early childhood teacher training programs?

A) curriculum planning
B) public policy
C) child development
D) communication strategies

Question 54

Lupe is an early childhood educator who has recently become an outspoken activist on the issue of funding for schools and teachers. Which of the following is most likely to be one of Lupe's goals?

A) shifting the cost of early childhood education onto families
B) completing accurate estimates for the true costs of quality early childhood services
C) increasing the child-adult ratio in all classrooms
D) eliminating the burden of minimum standards and licensing requirements

Question 55

What do families need in order to become strong and effective advocates for early childhood education and educators?

A) more information about the challenges and issues facing the field
B) higher wages and benefits for teachers
C) laws requiring parents to volunteer in their children's classes
D) less classroom time for children

Question 56

To encourage families to take a stronger stance in support of early childhood education, teachers need to convey that they are ______.

A) struggling to survive on current wages
B) willing to go on strike if their demands are not met
C) professionals in their field
D) authorized to make changes to children's permanent records

Question 57

Family members who feel confident that their child's teacher is ______ are more likely to advocate for better working conditions for educators.

A) underpaid
B) competent
C) overworked
D) a parent

Question 58

Which of the following was an effective lobbying effort for early childhood education at the state level?

A) parents refusing to vote for candidates in school board elections
B) children boycotting their schools
C) taxpayers speaking before the state legislature in support of teachers
D) voters failing to pass local bond measures for school funding

Question 59

Omar is a preschool teacher who is trying to encourage his students' families to speak up in support of early childhood education. To do so effectively, he should try to make a connection between funding support and ______.

A) his own ability to afford a yearly vacation
B) children's grades
C) tuition rates at universities offering teacher training programs
D) the cost of high-quality early childhood programs

Question 60

The most effective motivator in getting families to support early childhood education is convincing them that improved working conditions for teachers means ______.

A) better care and education for their children
B) improved recreational facilities for local residents
C) less expectation of parent involvement at school
D) lower tax burdens for homeowners

Question 61

Nurturing is the job of a caregiver, not a teacher.

Question 62

Early childhood teachers should emphasize fun and humor in their classrooms.

Question 63

Implicit biases tend to favor those who are like us.

Question 64

The ultimate decision maker in the chain of responsibility at an early childhood program is the head teacher.

Question 65

Assistant teachers sometimes change classrooms throughout the day.

Question 66

Most early childhood programs have more volunteers than they need.

Question 67

Early childhood programs often help connect families with professional service providers in the community.

Question 68

Head Start teachers are required to have a Child Development Associate credential.

Question 69

Minimum standards for early childhood teachers in the United States are established by the federal government and are the same in every state.

Question 70

Most teachers meet only the minimum standards required by the government.

Question 71

Experts disagree on the extent to which the field of early childhood education should be considered a profession.

Question 72

The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct includes ethical responsibilities not just for teachers, but for children, family members, and members of the community as well.

Question 73

Membership in early childhood education professional organizations is limited to teachers who have at least five years of professional experience.

Question 74

Directors have dramatically lower rates of turnover than do teachers.

Question 75

Despite low pay, early childhood teachers who stay in their jobs report high rates of job satisfaction.

Question 76

Research has shown that low pay is not as significant a barrier to increasing the number of male teachers as once thought.

Question 77

The teacher-family relationship is best characterized as a one-way street.

Question 78

Studies show that families are highly aware of most issues facing the early childhood profession.

Question 79

It is against the law for teachers to endorse or encourage others to take part in political activities of any kind.

Question 80

Family support for early childhood education goes up when parents think of educators as professionals.