Date of Award
1-1-1990
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Center for the Advancement of Education
Keywords
business knowledge, center directors, center operations, checklists, communication, delegation, director burnout, early childhood programs, in-service training, leadership, leadership style, management knowledge, management skills, managers, organizational development, personnel management, personality types, planning, problem solving, professional development, program development, program planning, quality improvement, regional approach, staff development, stress, time management, training sessions, workplace effectiveness, worksheets, management training, director training, organizational leadership, administrative skills, decision-making, employee supervision, operational management, training program, professional training, center administration, workforce development, management education, organizational effectiveness, supervisory skills, strategic planning, communication skills, leadership development, administrative leadership, workplace management, management concepts, personnel supervision, educational administration
Abstract
Due to a lack of management knowledge and experience, center directors encounter many problems that they are not prepared to handle. The problems increase stress that contribute to director burnout. The lack of business knowledge coupled with increased stress, hinder directors’ efforts to provide a quality early childhood program.
The author designed and implemented an in-service training program which presented basic management skill information necessary to the success of directors as managers of personnel. The in-service program consisted of a series of three train sessions. Six concepts were developed in the sessions. The concepts presented were: leadership style, personality types, communication, planning, delegation and time management. Each in-service focused on disseminating information about the concept and how the director could use this information to effectively manage center operations. The regional approach allowed directors to apply what they learned to their individual situations.
Checklists indicated increased management skill knowledge in directors which resulted in improved center operations. Directors spent less time in reacting to center problems and more time available for program planning and development. The in-service program was approved for continued use by center directors. Appendices included in sample management concept handouts and worksheets.