Personal and Professional Identity of Pre-School Teachers in the Santa Marta district

Abstract

This article presents a study done by the Research Group on Early Childhood Education at the Universidad de Magdalena in Santa Marta, Colombia. The study was designed to prompt reflection and recognition among the participants on the aspects that characterize them at a personal and professional
level, to explore how they are perceived by other teachers, teaching directors and parents, and to delve into the expectations all these actors have with in terms of what preschool education should be.

The main findings reflect a personal identity characterized by a sense of belonging to the Caribbean culture, religiousness, a high regard for family unity, the capacity for self-critique and the presence of certain fears. As for the professional aspect, the more outstanding characteristics include a receptiveness to change, a willingness to work as part of a team, resourcefulness and lack of certification and refresher training. For the most part, those who participated in the study find that preschool education is undervalued in the realm of public policy on education, and believe that fundamental changes are in order with respect to the meaning and orientation of education at this level.