본 연구의 목적은 예비보육교사들을 대상으로 보육실습 전, 실습 중, 실습 후에 일어나는 보육교사직에 대한 인식 변화를 살펴보는데 있다. 연구대상은 보육실습을 수행한 15명의 예비보육교사들이었으며, 개별면담, 반성적 저널, 실습일지 분석 등을 통해 이들의 보육교사직에 대한 인식을 알아보았다. 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 실습 전에 예비교사들은 두려움 속에서도 실습을 기다렸고, 보육교사직의 전문성에 대해 인식하였으며, 보육교사로서의 성장에 대한 기대를 갖는 등 긍정적 인식을 나타내는 한편, 기대보다는 두려움을 나타내거나, 낮은 자신감을 보이고, 보육교사직에 대한 부담감을 갖는 등 부정적 인식을 나타내기도 하였다. 둘째, 실습 중에는 따뜻한 인간관계를 경험했으며, 본보기가 되는 지도교사를 만나고, 반성적 사고를 통해 교사로서 성장하는 과정을 경험하는 한편, 잘해보려는 노력을 하고 있으나 뜻대로 되지 않는다고 느꼈으며, 보육교사로서의 자질 부족을 피력하기도 하였다. 마지막으로 실습을 마친 후에는 실습의 가치를 인식하고, 보육교사직에 대한 존경을 나타냈으며, 보육교사로서의 부담감을 극복하고 스스로 교사직을 수행할 준비가 되어 있다고 생각하였다. 반면, 보육교사의 업무에 대해 놀람을 보이거나, 자신의 능력에 대한 믿음이 약해져 진로에 대한 고민이 깊어지기도 하였다. 본 연구를 통해 예비교사들이 실습을 통해 보육교사직에 대해 긍정적인 이미지를 형성하고, 자신의 진로를 확고히 할 수 있도록 실습의 질적 향상을 위한 방안이 모색되기를 기대한다.
This study aims to investigate the changes of their mind before, during and after the childcare practice targeting pre-service childcare teachers. Subjects of this study were 15 pre-service teachers who showed the change in their perception of the childcare teaching profession, going through the childcare practice; what experiences and incidents changed their mind were investigated through the analyses of individual interviews, reflective journals and teaching practice diaries. Results of this study are as follows: First, pre-service teachers before the childcare practice were waiting for the practice with tension and trills before practice, and showed will and pride of their childcare teaching profession. In addition, they had faith in themselves and expectations of their professional growth. On the other hand, pre-service teachers with negative perceptions had fear rather than expectation, and felt a burden of practice, for they considered their ability as a pre-service teacher was insufficient. Second, pre-service teachers experienced positive human relations and built up trust of the institute because they met exemplary teachers. They experienced the process of becoming a teacher gradually through reflective thoughts during practice were positive. However they also felt they tried to make an effort to do well but went athwart their purpose, and expressed the lack of qualities a lot through reflective thoughts. Third, after finishing practice, they showed an attitude of finding a meaning of the practice process and reflected on themselves. Besides, they expressed respect for the childcare teaching profession, and thought they were ready to overcome the burden as a childcare teacher and perform the teaching profession. On the other hand, they were frightened of childcare teachers duty, their faith in their abilities got weakened and they agonized over their career path. It is expected through this study that pre-service teachers can form positive image of the childcare teaching profession through practice and the qualitative improvement plans of practice be sought for them to solidify their career path.