Cultural Lens on Raising the Quality of Early Childhood Teachers in Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract Quality early childhood education is a top priority across nations, and the central focus is teacher quality. Culture includes a shared system of meaning that provides a framework for values and ways of thinking and behaving. Confucian legacy plays a major role in shaping the purposes and methods of education and the goal of becoming a teacher in Taiwan. This chapter describes early childhood teacher training programs during the past decade in Taiwan. Stepping behind the policies, regulations, and operations, cultural impacts are discernable. By examining teacher education programs and practices, a critical understanding can be made to raise more awareness for empowering early childhood teachers worldwide. Pre- and in-service teacher education and professional development programs and their attributes and goals are discussed in relation to cultural contexts. Who is a quality teacher and how is culture reflected in this person, and this person reflected in the culture?