Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Stuart Reifel. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 56 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-37).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Charles H. Wolfgang, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 23, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-11, Section: A, page: 4236. Adviser: Michaelene Ostrosky. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-113) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (PH.D.)--Syracuse University, 2003. / "Publication number AAT 3081654."

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, School of Education, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-04, Section: A, page: 1216. Adviser: Mary B. McMullen. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed May 14, 2007)."

<p> The quality of educators&rsquo; teaching practices is a crucial aspect of children&rsquo;s learning. This is why researchers, policy makers, teacher educators and educational leaders have focused their efforts on developing methods and programs to support educators&rsquo; teaching practices. Although teachers are the ones who actually apply the contents and skills learned in professional development programs, there is little research that considers their perspectives. The purpose of this study was to explore Latina immigrant early childhood teachers&rsquo; professional identity and perspectives about their professional learning and development (PLD) experiences. Data collection consisted on eight in-depth face-to-face interviews with early childhood educators who work in four multicultural Head Starts, and who self-identified as Latina Spanish-speaker. Data analysis was conducted using open and axial coding techniques. The main findings suggest that Latina immigrant teachers share some values, beliefs and experiences that might play a role in shaping their careers, as well as their identities as teachers and learners. Also, the findings suggest that teachers present a positive attitude towards ongoing professional learning. However, they believe that in order to be effective for their learning, PLD programs should include more active, collaborative and contextualized approaches. Additionally, the findings indicate that teachers perceive that their work environments constrain their possibilities to fully exercise their profession.</p><p>