IJETSAR (International Journal of Education Technology and Scientific Researches) Vol: 8, Issue: 23, 2023 1427 (ISSN: 2587-0238) LEADER TEACHER IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION ACCORDING TO TEACHER CANDIDATES Aysun BAY DÖNERTAŞ Dr., Ministry of National Education, Eskisehir, Turkey, aysunbay@gmail.com ORCID: 0000-0003-1219-7181 Received: 05.05.2023 Accepted: 15.08.2023 Published: 01.09.2023 ABSTRACT This study, which aims to reveal the opinions of teacher candidates about the leader teacher in preschool education, is designed with a qualitative research approach. The study group of the study consists of 34 teacher candidates studying in the Preschool Teacher Education Program at a university in Eskişehir province in Turkey. Data were analyzed by content analysis method. According to the results of the research, a leader teacher in preschool classrooms is a person who has positive personality traits such as being loving, patient, developing positive relationships with his/her environment, guiding his/her environment and making a difference, as well as professional characteristics such as developing children, developing himself/herself professionally, managing the learning and teaching process, knowing children, being open to communication and cooperation, creating a positive classroom climate, having professional ethics, having professional knowledge and skills. Leading teacher in preschool classrooms should possess professional ethical values and positive personality traits (patient, calm, loving, etc.) as well as skills such as effective management of the learning and teaching process, time and programme, evaluation and management of children's behavior, effective communication, meeting management, stress and crisis management, personal and professional self- development, collaboration with colleagues and families, and pursuing the best interests of children in all situations. Some situations related to the teaching environment, related to families and children, related to professional skills, and some situations specific to the individual are challenging for the leader teacher in preschool education classrooms. In order to make preschool education widespread and effective practices in education, teachers should go beyond their traditional roles and carry the roles required by teacher leadership to their profession. In order to achieve this, attention should be drawn to management and leadership issues in preschool education, more studies should be carried out on this subject, and more pre-service and in- service trainings on management and leadership should be provided. Keywords: Leadership, leading teacher, preschool education, leadership in preschool classrooms. Bay-Dönertaş, A. (2023). Leader Teacher in Preschool Education According to Teacher Candidates, International Journal of Education Technology and Scientific Researches, 8(23), 1427-1465. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.35826/ijetsar.637 Article Type (Makale Türü): Research Article