Undermined Professionalism: Strategic Impression Management Among Early Childhood Educators

• In Event: Individual Actors Surviving, Subverting, and (Un)Intentionally Shaping Policy Implementation

Abstract

Through a qualitative exploration of 72 Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in Israel, who recently experienced policy driven professional regression, we demonstrate that Impression Management can be a driving impetus for professional advancement. Motivated to distinguish themselves from their colleagues, ECEs initiated practices of knowledge exploration and distribution as preliminary steps towards professional development. Our study thus: (a) illuminates the ways that marginalized workers reshape their roles to elevate their prestige and increase their influence in the educational sphere; and (b) highlights professional image management as an effective motivation for professional development and the creation of “professional niches.” Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Authors

• Reut Liraz, Hebrew University

• Ori Eyal, Hebrew University