What Are the Advantages of Teacher Training？

Apr. 14, 2025

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The Importance of Teacher Training Programs - Learning Matters

Our education system, which is one of the oldest in the world, has recently come under the radar about its effectiveness to cater to the 21st century student. The doubts stem from the question: Is our education system able to provide all that today’s students need to excel in academics and ultimately, in their career? Education leaders across the country have expressed their share of opinions regarding the reformation of our education system. From changing the syllabus structure to changing the study environment, different opinions about reform have arisen. And, while there are certainly many opinions being expressed, the one major unanimous concern being expressed by all experts is lack of adequate teacher training! Every professional in this world needs upskilling because every profession changes or undergoes modifications for the betterment of itself. So why aren’t teachers trained regularly? The one profession that shows the path to other professions should receive priority when it comes to training and upskilling, isn’t it?

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What is a teacher training program?

Let’s first outline what a teacher training program is. A teacher training program is a program that equips teachers with techniques and modern pedagogy strategies that helps them to better connect with, manage, and teach to their students in a manner which ensures that all students are learning and benefitting. Teacher training programs, when conducted in the right manner and with the right content, have the power to train teachers to such an extent that they go on to positively impact students not just in academics but also outside of it. After the long gap with remote schooling owing to covid restrictions, both students and teachers are facing the consequences of learning loss and teaching loss, respectively. Students have almost completely lost their literacy and numeracy skills and teachers are struggling to get back to their offline routine of teaching. This needs to be sorted early, as it can have consequences both in the short term and long term. The only ones who can help students recover from learning loss are teachers. So training teachers, especially now, is very critical for our education system. Teacher training programs are of different types and forms: There are short term, medium term and long term programs which are conducted online or offline. There is also a holistic teacher training program like StarTeacher which is a combination of the online and offline modes.

Why is teacher training necessary?

Training teachers is necessary in the 21st century mainly because of the fact that current generation students don't comprehend traditional teaching methods. We cannot teach students of today with methods of yesterday. Students in the 21st century need personalisation in education. The Indian education system has been following the habit of seeing the classroom as a whole and not as individual students, which is unfair to the majority of students. Each student is unique in myriad ways including in the way they think, analyse, understand and go about academics. It is therefore important for our existing system to bring in this change. Training teachers to know how to view their students as unique individuals with different learning styles is the game changer. Once teachers understand this and know how to cater to the various learning styles, they will positively impact hundreds and thousands of students.

Teacher training is also more critical now than ever because teachers today are struggling with identifying and filling the learning gaps in students to bring them up to grade level. Plus, they need to complete the current year’s syllabus as well. If there were ever a mammoth task, it is this. Without the right knowledge, tools, and skills, teachers cannot be reasonably expected to navigate these challenges on their own.

Some of the major benefits of teacher training programs:

1) Professional growth

When teachers attend training programs, it gives them the opportunity for continuous professional development - to learn new ways, methods, strategies, skills and tools. When teachers get upskilled they automatically feel confident, happy and motivated to achieve greater things with their students. Confident and happy teachers mean confident and happy students!

2) Better Student Management

As a teacher it is important to know, understand and analyse one’s students effectively. Only then can they know how to teach their students. Teaching 12-year olds cannot and should not be the same as teaching 5-year olds, isn’t it? Teacher training programs help teachers to better understand and therefore, better manage their students.

3) Equips them with modern pedagogy strategies

Through a holistic teacher training program teachers, especially those who have been teaching for many years and therefore not likely to be aware of updated practices and methodologies, learn new methods and techniques which they can implement in the classroom to better educate their students. Not all traditional teaching methods are ineffective. At the same, not all of them are relevant anymore.

4) Builds better relationships with parents

In every school, one of the important predictors of happiness and success is the relationships teachers have with parents. It is important for teaches to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with the parents of the students. A teacher is the one who converses with parents the most during parent-teachers meetings, drop-off and pick-up etc. Better relationship with parents = better satisfaction quotient for the school.

5) Impacts thousands of students indirectly

A teacher training program not just impacts teachers but also students. A single teacher who is upskilled can go on to impact thousands of students. Teachers have a big role to play in nation building because students are the citizens of tomorrow. Imagine then, the impact that can be created by upskilled teachers.

The conclusion

Our education system needs to go from “Is teacher training important?” to “Our teachers MUST be trained regularly!", only then can any other change we bring into our education system really impact students positively.

How Teacher Training Programs Help Boost Student Outcomes

Behavioral disruptions, social-emotional struggles, and academic hurdles make it increasingly difficult for school districts to create environments where all students can succeed.

46% of kindergarten teachers report that nearly half of their students lack the emotional, self-regulatory, and social skills to function productively in a classroom setting. Additionally, 16-30% of children in Head Start programs struggle with ongoing behavioral problems, such as aggression, which impedes individual learning and disrupts the learning of others.

And the stakes are high. Children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, particularly those prone to aggression, face an increased risk of underachievement, school dropout, delinquency, violence, and substance abuse.

School districts must turn to evidence-based programs that provide structured, effective interventions. Incredible Years® (IY) offers a solution: teacher training programs designed to address the complex issues of behavior management, social-emotional learning, and academic development.

The Role of IY in Enhancing Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a vital component of student development, and IY offers the necessary tools to foster these critical skills. IY's approach is comprehensive, supporting teachers in facilitating the growth of social-emotional competencies students need to thrive academically and personally.

When students develop strong social-emotional skills, they learn to regulate their emotions, build positive relationships, and handle challenges effectively. SEL is more than a curriculum add-on; it's essential for creating a supportive learning atmosphere.

IY has proven to be an asset for schools seeking to improve SEL outcomes. Numerous school districts have successfully implemented IY into their SEL initiatives with impressive results.

Program Success in the US

A team of researchers at the University of Missouri began implementing and evaluating the Teacher Classroom Management program in . In a study published in that included 1,817 students in grades K to 3 and 105 teachers, these researchers found that the TCM program has particular benefits for r children with aggressive behaviors. The positive outcomes included improved math achievement, prosocial behaviors emotional regulation, and reductions in observed aggression.

Program Success in Ireland

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) in Ireland has been implementing the Incredible Years® Teacher Classroom Management (TCM) program in primary schools for over a decade. Two significant studies in highlighted the program's effectiveness:

Impact on Teacher Outcomes: A study involving 368 Irish primary school teachers found that the IY TCM training positively impacted teachers' wellbeing and self-efficacy. Teachers reported feeling better equipped to manage challenging student behaviors using positive strategies.

Effectiveness in Professional Development: Another study focused on teachers' experiences with the TCM program as part of their continuing professional development. The research emphasized the importance of tailoring the program to participants' needs, using a collaborative model, and providing sustained support.

Disseminating the IY TCM Program in Wales

The Powys Teaching Health Board in Wales has been implementing the IY TCM program since . A recent review of data collected from to revealed impressive outcomes:

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Improved Student Behavior: Teachers reported significant improvements in students' social and emotional wellbeing, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Reductions were observed in emotional difficulties, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems, while pro-social behavior increased.

Reduced Teacher Stress: The Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI) showed a significant reduction in occupational stress among participating teachers, particularly in areas related to classroom management.

Positive Teacher Feedback: Teachers reported feeling calmer, more confident, and better equipped with strategies to create positive interactions with pupils and manage classroom behavior effectively.

Recent Research in Portugal

Researchers in Portugal have recently published exciting outcomes using the TCM program, including significant benefits for children whose teachers have received the TCM program. In a study involving Ninety teachers and 535 children ages 2 to 10 years old, (children showed significant increases in social and emotional skills (e.g., social adjustment, empathy) and significant reductions in problem behavior when assessed by their teachers, and in social-cognitive problem-solving strategies as evaluated by a set of problem-solving tasks.). This research further demonstrates the IY Teacher Classroom Management Program’s global applicability and effectiveness. This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of IY programs in diverse cultural contexts.

For more information on implementing evidence-based early intervention and teacher training programs, download Incredible Years' best practices guide.

IY's Evidence-Based Approach to Improving Classroom Behavior

IY's evidence-based teacher training programs and classroom management strategies help teachers achieve a positive learning atmosphere by offering the necessary tools to promote positive discipline, resulting in better student outcomes.

Research demonstrates that when classroom behavior improves, students are more engaged, less distracted, and better able to focus on their academic tasks. The effectiveness of IY in achieving positive outcomes is well-documented, with numerous studies highlighting its success in reducing disruptive behaviors.

IY Teacher Training Program Effectiveness in Treatment of Child Conduct Problems

A study involving 133 clinic-referred families with children aged 4-8 years diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder evaluated the IY teacher training program for its impact on classroom behavior. The study examined six different conditions, including combinations of parent training, child training, and teacher training.

The results were clear:

Increased positive discipline skills in teachers

Decreased teacher criticism and harsh discipline

Improved social competence and school readiness among students

Reduced student aggression within the classroom

The study also found that combining teacher training with parent training yielded even better outcomes, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative approach to behavior management.

Evaluation of IY Teacher Classroom Management and Dinosaur School

Another study evaluated the combined effects of the IY Teacher Classroom Management program and the Dinosaur School Social Skills and Problem-Solving Curriculum. It involved 120 classrooms and 153 teachers, with a diverse student population of 1,768 children.

Teachers leveraging IY strategies reported:

Improved overall classroom behavior

Reduced negative behaviors in children

Increased student problem-solving and school readiness

Improved social competence and emotional regulation in students

Teachers overwhelmingly found the program easy to integrate into their existing curriculum and effective in meeting their social-emotional goals for students. Parent satisfaction was equally high.

These studies paint a picture of both hope and caution. They tell us that young children, even those with significant behavioral challenges, can make tremendous progress when supported by nurturing teachers and evidence-based programs like IY. However, they also serve as a reminder of the risks of failing to provide the necessary support, particularly for higher-risk children.

Long-Term Benefits of Implementing IY Teacher Training Programs in School Districts

Investing in teacher training programs for early intervention can lay the groundwork for a brighter future for all students.

Reduce Dropout Rates

Students who develop strong social-emotional skills are better equipped to navigate the challenges of school life, leading to increased engagement and persistence in their education. Over time, this translates into higher graduation rates, as students who feel supported and understood are more likely to stay in school.

Improve Mental Health

IY helps students develop the resilience they need to cope with stress and adversity by addressing emotional regulation, social competence, and problem-solving skills early on. This early support can prevent the escalation of mental health challenges that may hinder a student's ability to succeed. The positive impact on mental health also lays a foundation for lifelong well-being.

Build an Inclusive School Culture

The program's emphasis on social-emotional learning and positive behavior management creates an environment where all students feel valued and included. This inclusive atmosphere encourages collaboration, empathy, and respect among students, strengthening the school community.

Experience Long-Term Savings

As students develop better social-emotional skills and behavioral problems decrease, schools spend less on disciplinary actions, special education services, and interventions for at-risk students. Additionally, the long-term societal benefits—such as reduced spending on drug rehabilitation, mental health services, and criminal justice involvement—further underscore the value of investing in early intervention programs.

Teacher Training Programs are an Investment in Student Success

Incredible Years is a leading provider of evidence-based early intervention and teacher training programs that empower school districts to improve student outcomes by fostering social-emotional learning, enhancing classroom behavior, and supporting educators with effective strategies. Over time, these benefits translate into improved academic performance, better mental health, reduced dropout rates, and a more inclusive school culture.

By implementing IY, district decision-makers can promote teacher success and lasting positive change in students' lives.

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