Exploring How Experienced Preschool Teachers Construct Their Professional Identity
Location
1052
Format Type
Paper
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
January 2016
End Date
January 2016
Abstract
With the growing importance of early childhood education, the role of the preschool teacher is rapidly changing. Preschool teachers have traditionally been thought of as caretakers of the young and have been compensated at a rate far less than elementary school teachers. To that end, the early childhood profession has historically had few educational and professional requirements. The combination of lower value attributed by society commensurate with preschool teachers' lower salaries may influence how preschool teachers construct their professional identity. Through a postmodern framework, the dominant discourses that define preschool teachers' professional identity will be explored. A narrative inquiry methodology will allow the preschool teachers to tell their stories about their role in preschool education and how they define themselves as preschool teachers.
Exploring How Experienced Preschool Teachers Construct Their Professional Identity
1052
With the growing importance of early childhood education, the role of the preschool teacher is rapidly changing. Preschool teachers have traditionally been thought of as caretakers of the young and have been compensated at a rate far less than elementary school teachers. To that end, the early childhood profession has historically had few educational and professional requirements. The combination of lower value attributed by society commensurate with preschool teachers' lower salaries may influence how preschool teachers construct their professional identity. Through a postmodern framework, the dominant discourses that define preschool teachers' professional identity will be explored. A narrative inquiry methodology will allow the preschool teachers to tell their stories about their role in preschool education and how they define themselves as preschool teachers.
Comments
Breakout Session B