ABSTRACT
This chapter invites the reader to consider the role of early childhood teacher research in the professional development of early childhood teachers in pre-service, in-service, and graduate-level programs. It juxtaposes what good teaching is with what teacher research is all about. It begins by exploring what readers may currently be doing that is teacher research and that can develop into a teacher research agenda. It identifies purposes of doing teacher research including documentation of children’s learning, assessment including portfolio assessment, and movement toward quality teaching. This chapter addresses how teacher research may help meet professional standards including working toward National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification.
