Hjallastefnan and professionalism : preschool personnel's sense of security

This research is the first case study on Hjallastefnan preschool personnel’s professionalism and their sense of security. Data was collected by observation and interviews with two preschool personnel, Kate and Maria. Their values towards work were explored: Kate values ‘respect’ and Maria values ‘friendship’. Kate and Maria show responsive characteristics in practice, however their levels are different; Kate has progressive aspects of a teacher, whereas Maria is reflexive while maintaining a traditional Icelandic childcare provider´s role with a mother’s aspect. My comparison was focused on exploring what I learned from Kate and Maria, in the light of Hjallastefnan’s six principles, professionalism as well as the Icelandic preschool context. It raised an unrevealed challenge which Hjallastefnan is facing, yet it has never been discussed within the school: Fostering each personnel as an individual professional. The discussion concludes with my suggestion for creating a positive sense of security: Keep a good balance of ‘independence (documentation)’ and ‘interdependence (communication)’ while feeling respect and friendship at work. The study revealed that Kate and Maria’s joy, passion, interest and dilemma are all genuine. However, further research on any aspect of Hjallastefnan is needed.

Author dc:creator

• Megumi Nishida 1975-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskóli Íslands

• Meistaraprófsritgerðir
• Alþjóðlegt nám í menntunarfræði
• Hjallastefnan
• Leikskólar
• Starfsfólk
• Fagmennska
• Kennsluaðferðir
• Tilviksrannsóknir
• Preschools
• Personnel
• Teaching methods

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/14206

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/14206