Linda Helene Sillat: When I came to work at the university, I naively thought my responsibilities would decrease

Linda Helene Sillat, Lecturer of Learning Technologies, Tallinn University School of Digital Technologies

I used to occasionally help at a kindergarten as a teacher’s assistant as early as age 14. This was because my mother was a kindergarten teacher.

When I entered university, I was quite sure that the field of education would be a good fit for me. I considered becoming an English teacher but decided to study early childhood education instead. While studying, I also took on a full-time job at a kindergarten. The job suited me well, so I worked for five years as a teacher.

My work at the kindergarten primarily stemmed from a large sense of responsibility. I would probably have never made the radical change in my career path if my supervisor wouldn’t have offered me a small part-time job during my Master’s studies. Consequently, I worked full-time at a kindergarten and part-time at the university while also finishing my degree. During this time, I noticed that the 4- to 5-year-old children in my class had started letting me know that I was becoming too impatient to play with them. This broke my heart. I realised I had to choose between my job at the kindergarten and studying at the university.

When discussing education with my lecturers at the university, I was encouraged to immediately continue with a PhD after my Master’s. This was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. The spring of 2017 marked my end as a teacher at Mardi Kindergarten. I was 24. I kept in touch with the kindergarten by continuing to work there on learning technology and also teaching a class on robotics. I probably could not have left my job as a teacher if I had to fully cut off contact with the kindergarten and its children. Working with children suits me well.

When I came to work at the university, I naively thought my responsibilities would decrease. After all, there were 24 impressionable kids I had to take care of and protect at the kindergarten. I thought that at university, I would only have to be responsible for myself and my own actions. In reality, the responsibility of a university lecturer is much greater and more difficult. The messages and ideas I convey impact many more people. My research findings and the way I teach upcoming teachers make it further from the classroom, as these teachers each convey their own knowledge to children. This makes me realise just how much responsibility I have.

One reason I decided to teach at a university is that I rediscovered my love for learning while studying early childhood education. I wished to pass on this love to others. Back in secondary school, I was always treading on thin ice due to my weakness in maths. I was also not confident in my skills with technology. In truth, I am still surprised by the fact that I managed to graduate from secondary school and make it to university. I thought I would be turned away for my bad exam results. In the end, I finished my Bachelor’s with honours. That experience gave me the courage to think that perhaps I would be as successful in my Master’s studies.

By now, I have been away from kindergarten work for eight years, and I sometimes consider returning. I feel like I have become too much of a theorist due to my work as a scientist and lecturer. I need to be together with children, doing activities along with them in their natural environment to sense what they need. Occasionally, kindergarten classes visit me at the university, but that is not enough.

My work at the kindergarten has benefitted me greatly. I have gained a much better understanding of what it means to be a human by working with children. A kindergarten class works in the same way as a team at a university. Both children and adults share basic human needs. They wish to belong, be acknowledged and realise their goals.

Many small joys that make it fun for children to attend kindergarten also bring joy to adults, such as eating together or distributing candy on a birthday. Without these small joys, the mood can become too serious at a university. Some things need to be serious, but not too much.

The joys of being a scientist:

• I am most fascinated by practical science, or researching something together with teachers who face the research topic every day and can apply the results immediately. This gives me a great sense of joy.
• You cannot be a scientist alone. I like that my job requires close cooperation with colleagues.
• My job as a scientist is made up of many different roles: I teach, do public speaking, form official positions and take part in expert groups. Giving back to society as a scientist is a lot of fun.

Career:

• Kindergarten teacher’s assistant – from age 14 onwards
• Kindergarten teacher – 4 years
• Scientist – 8 years

Education:
2023 Tallinn University, Doctorate in Information Society Technologies

2017 Tallinn University, Master’s in Educational Technology

2015 Tallinn University, Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, cum laude

2012 Lasnamäe Secondary School