| Abstract [eng] |
A director is a major source of leadership in educational institution, since management related knowledge and practical skills determine whether an educational establishment will succeed in moving towards the vision, and in particularly - in motivating educators. The motivation of educators is particularly relevant in preschool institutions, since as the well-being of children attending these institutions often depends on motivation of educators. Research issue – it is unclear what leadership styles are being put in practice by directors of preschool institutions, what are peculiarities of leadership expressions of directors and motivation of engagement of educators, how leadership style of directors influences educators' motivation to work. Research hypothesis – it is likely that leadership style of directors influences motivation of engagement of preschool educators. Research object – influence of director’s leadership style on motivation of engagement of educators in preschool education institutions. Aim of the research – to identify and reveal what influence the leadership style of a director has on the motivation of educators in preschool institutions. Research tasks: 1. To reveal the influence of leadership styles of directors towards the motivation of educators on the basis of scientific literature; 2. To research the peculiarities of leadership styles applied by directors towards the motivation of engagement of educators in preschool education institutions; 3. To clarify the opinions of directors on the influence of applied leadership styles towards the motivation of engagement of educators; 4. To identify the opinions of educators on the influence of applied leadership styles towards their motivation of engagement. Research methods: 1) Analysis off scientific literature; 2) qualitative research - semistructured interview (survey of preschool educators and directors); 3) data analysis method - qualitative analysis of content data. Conclusions. The analysis of qualitative research data revealed that transformational leadership style seems to be the most acceptable to directors of preschool education institutions. Directors of preschool education institutions apply the following aspects of transformational leadership style: initiation of positive changes, idealized influences, intellectual stimulation, individual attention, and inspiring motivation of educators. The influence of leadership of directors towards the motivation of engagement of educators is revealed through such external factors as flexible working schedules, favourable conditions for qualification, director that can be admired and taken as an example, and a supportive team. Motivation factors of engagement of educators are also associated with internal factors (love for work and pedagogical calling). The fact that no educator of preschool institutions has indicated a monetary reward for work as a factor of motivation also leads to the conclusion that these educators are motivated for activity. Thus, the style of transactional leadership based on power and material reward for work is not relevant in this research. The research confirmed the initial hypothesis that the leadership style of directors influences the motivation of engagement of preschool educators. Directors of preschool education institutions that apply the transformational leadership style motivate the engagement of educators. |
