Acta Iadertina, Vol. 20 No. 01, 2023.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.15291/ai.4209
Self-assessed Readiness for Pedagogical Leadership among Kindergarten Teachers
Nikolina VARJAČIĆ
orcid.org/0009-0003-2942-9070
; Kindergarten Pinokio, Donji Miholjac, Croatia
Rahaela VARGA
orcid.org/0000-0002-8402-2578
; Faculty of Educational Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
Pedagogical leadership is being increasingly promoted as a participative form of leadership that represents a departure from the traditional understanding that there is only one leader in an institution.
In the case of a kindergarten, in addition to the headteacher, teachers
should also practice pedagogical leadership at the level of a particular
kindergarten group. In order to be ready to apply various aspects of
pedagogical leadership in everyday practice, teachers’ need knowledge
and skills to effectively solve various professional challenges, but also a
responsible approach, i.e. awareness of the importance of pedagogical
leadership competences.
Research was conducted with the aim of exploring teachers’ readiness
to use pedagogical leadership in kindergarten groups, measured by
self-assessment of the developed competences and the assessment of the
importance of particular competences for pedagogical leadership. In
addition, the significance of group differences in the mentioned (self)
assessment was also looked into. The results show that teachers perceive themselves best prepared to respect diversity and multiculturalism and to build trust and collaborative relationships with children,
while they are least prepared to apply new technologies in their work,
invest in professional development, and involve parents in their work.
Certain statistically significant differences were found among teachers
with regard to their initial education, work experience and working
conditions (developed competences) and working conditions (importance of competences for pedagogical leadership).
Keywords
kindergarten, competences, teachers, pedagogical leadership, ECEC
Hrčak ID:
306968
URI
Publication date:
27.7.2023.
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