Browsing by Author "Chydenius, Heidi"

Professional identity is a social construction, which is formed as individuals interpret themselves and their experiences in relation to the surrounding world. According to earlier studies, the professional identity of kindergarten teachers (early childhood education teachers) has been derogated by unclear job descriptions and the difficulty to analyse and articulate professional competence or the essence of one’s professionalism. This thesis examines the background and history of the formation of kindergarten teachers’ professional identity as reviewed through editorials of the Hanna magazine issues 1997–2007, published by The Kindergarten Teachers Union in Finland (LTOL). As a professional agent, the chair of the union has taken part in constructing and moulding the professional identity of kindergarten teachers in editorials, challenging or reinforcing the positions offered to kindergarten teachers by the social operational environment. Research questions are: 1) In what ways is the kindergarten teachers’ professional identity constructed in the editorials? and 2) How has the social operational environment affected the formation of kindergarten teachers’ professional identity? The method in this thesis was critical discourse analysis. Material consisted of editorials of the Hanna magazine from 1997 to 2007. The material was analysed through linguistic analysis of subject positions, which were examined in relation to the social operational environment. The analysis showed that the chair of The Kindergarten Teachers Union has promoted a uniform professional identity for kindergarten teachers, its core consisting of the following roles: academic kindergarten teacher, expert in childhood and early childhood education, social influencer, campaigner for better wages, and expert in education and teaching. Cracks in the professional identity were especially caused by the fact that kindergarten teachers were at the time administered under social welfare services. The results show that, from the point-ofview of their professional identity, a more appropriate professional framework is now being provided for kindergarten teachers by the education administration and legislation.