A Study on the Transformation of Preschool Teachers’ Roles in the COVID-19 Distance Learning Preparation Process: Using Photovoice

This study tried to capture the changes in the role of early childhood teachers in the preparation distance Learning due to COVID-19 with the voices of preschool teachers using of Photovoice. This study involved 7 teachers who expressed their intention to participate through a recruitment site commonly used by preschool teachers. For this purpose, 7 preschool teachers working in early childhood education field participated in the Photovoice study consisting of a total of 4 sessions. The data collected in this study were analyzed using both Photovoice analysis methods and thematic analysis. The analysis of this study resulted in 3 main themes and 5 sub-themes. As a result of the analysis, the role of the preschool teacher in the COVID-19 distance class preparation process was understood as a ‘Guides and Facilitators of Learning Activities’, ‘The Professional as a Challenger’, and ‘Complementary Teacher’. This study used photographs and stories directly taken by preschool teachers during the preparation process for distance learning to intricately examine the changes in the roles of preschool teachers, exploring how they cope and grow through their experiences and reflections on the challenges they face in distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.