A multifaceted professional role with numerous tasks to tackle and often insufficient resources to manage them. This is the picture that transpired when researcher Maria Lennartsdotter analysed posts under the hashtag #pressatl盲ge, where Swedish preschool staff were asked to share stories about their work situation.
Maria divides the duties preschool teachers view as expected of them into four categories, or four professional identities: the teacher, the caregiver, the housekeeper and the administrator.
"In the material that I studied, there is a fair amount of frustration among preschool staff due to the high expectations placed on them, coupled with the challenging conditions they face in meeting these expectations, says Maria Lennartsdotter."
She has studied posts under the hashtag #pressatl盲ge, which was created to draw attention to the working environment at preschools in Sweden. In 2018, preschool teachers around the country were invited to share their stories under that hashtag, and anonymously through an online form. There is also a Facebook group, which is still active, linked to #pressatl盲ge. In total, Maria has analysed over 1,000 stories that were posted in connection with the hashtag.
"I was surprised by the harsh tone found in some of the posts. The work situation is sometimes described using powerful expressions. This could be a way of being heard and seen, and perhaps it says a little about the format as well. That social media invites people to use a stronger tone, especially when it comes to this type of situation. It becomes an outlet or a free zone, says Maria."
In the material, Maria identified that the staff feel they have a multifaceted mission, illustrated by the four professional identities, as well as lacking the conditions to do a good job. This may include resources, the number of children in a group and workplace culture.
"There is a sense of pride in these professional groups as well, in that they are expected to do a lot for the children. And the staff gets the job done, despite challenges and problems."
When work is stressful and resources are insufficient, the staff are forced to prioritise. Maria says the identities that are hardest to deprioritise are those of the caregiver and the housekeeper. At the same time, staff often wish they could prioritise the role of the teacher more.
"Yet, you still have to change diapers and wipe the table even if it is a busy day, which means you might choose to skip a field trip or spend less time on educational activities that you have planned, says Maria."
When you are unable to meet expectations at work, the resulting frustration is often directed towards decision makers. The relationship between the decisions made, which determine the conditions for preschool activities, and what is actually feasible, is often perceived as skewed.
Who do you think should read your doctoral thesis?
"I think there are primarily three groups that would benefit from learning about my research findings. Politicians, who are the ones that create the conditions for preschool activities. Preschool teachers and childminders can use it as a basis for discussion. And finally, teacher educators, who I believe would benefit from knowing about the expectations created during the teacher training, as well as considering how we can equip preschool staff for these roles and conditions that are perceived to exist."
Maria Lennartsdotter successfully completed her PhD in Pedagogical Work at 果冻传媒 on 13 September with her thesis 鈥淧rofessional Complexity in Swedish Preschool-Narratives about Changing Conditions and Missions鈥.
