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EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: THE VIEWS OF EXCELLENCE SELECTED PRESCHOOL TEACHERS
Abstract
One of the key factors determining the success of preschool education is the quality of the teaching staff. Preschool teachers (PTs) play a significant role in developing children’s cognitive and academic skills, resilience, social skills, positive self-image, and overall well-being during their first years of life prior entering to school. The main goal of this study was to examine the perceptions of PTs recognized for their excellence as educational leaders, regarding the characteristics of exemplary PTs as educational leaders. The study employed a qualitative paradigm of data collection and analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed thematically. Participants were 15 PTs selected by a committee from the Israeli Ministry of Education for their exceptional educational leadership. The study findings revealed five main characteristics of exemplary PT educational leaders: (1) loving and caring for preschoolers, (2) fostering collaboration and strong relationships with the preschool community, (3) educating for values, (4) promoting meaningful and experiential learning, (5) personalizing learning through dialogue with parents. There is a clear dearth in scholarly literature dealing with the characteristics of exemplary PTs as educational leaders in early childhood education. This study is the first to reveal these characteristics from the perspective of PTs recognized for their excellence as educational leaders by the Israeli Ministry of Education. Keywords: preschool, preschool teacher, educational leaders, exemplary leadership.
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References15
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