This book focuses on sustaining communities of practice in primary and secondary schools in Australia and internationally for the professional learning of all teachers, and particularly, early career teachers. Informed by the communities of practice research of Wenger-Trayner, it shows what factors are conductive to the sustainability of communities of practice, drawing particularly on a case study of an Australian regional secondary school, and explores how it has sustained support particularly for early career teachers over a three-year period. The first chapters of the book provide longitudinal perspectives using qualitative data and include perspectives from a variety of stakeholders, including the principal, the professional learning coordinator and the early career teachers who have experienced the school’s Communities of practice over three or more years. It offers practical suggestions on how to implement and improve communities of practice in schools and highlights the increasing importance of online communities to support early career teachers. Policy-makers, school principals, teacher educators and teaching practitioners find the book useful for implementing and sustaining communities of practice in schools. Subsequent chapters explore the value of online communities, such as Twitter communities; the role of collegial support networks in supporting early career teachers in Flemish primary education; and professional learning in Northern Ireland pre- and in-service teacher networked communities.

This edited book brings together teachers and education academics who are committed to education about, for and through democracy. It presents a diverse range of viewpoints about the challenges facing educators working across different sectors and discusses ways to challenge issues like neoliberalism, excessive managerialism and accountability and privatisation. It also engages with the times that education has, and continues, to fail students. This book outlines both logistical and ideological challenges which educators committed to democracy face and describes innovative approaches they have adopted, including networking, the use of social media and digital tools and extending their reach beyond their local communities to international audiences. It encourages conversations about how educators and academics might re-commit to education for democracy and generate further avenues for discussion and action by educators and academics.

How Schools Transform explores the process of transformation. This book moves beyond the why of transformation to consider how it is achieved by a range of schools around the world. Each chapter showcases a school-based example of transformation. Assessment, pedagogy, curriculum, leadership, values and learning are explored before considering the key principles required across schools to make transformation a reality. Bringing together examples from around the world, the contributing authors give relatable insights into the mechanics, approaches and principles that drive authentic and sustainable transformation of all sizes. These chapters include teacher voice, student voice, embedded cases, emerging themes, resonances and reflections and ways forward. How Schools Transform weaves real stories and authentic approaches that make transformation the reality and not just rhetoric.

Recent evolutions, such as pervasive networking and other enabling technologies, have been increasingly changing human life, knowledge acquisition, and the way works are performed and students learn. In this societal change, educational institutions must maintain their leading role. They have therefore embraced digitally enhanced learning to provide increased flexibility and access for their students. The Handbook of Research on Redesigning Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in the Digital Era provides insights into the transformation of education in the digital era and responds to the needs of learners of any context and background through relevant studies that include sound pedagogical and content knowledge. Covering key topics such as hybrid learning, media, remote learning, and social media, this major reference work is ideal for administrators, policymakers, academicians, researchers, scholars, practitioners, librarians, instructors, and students.

Based on research and consultations with influential school middle leaders, Middle Leadership in Schools presents ideas and actions designed specifically to stimulate and enhance educators leading from the middle, as a catalyst to enable them to do what they do with greater influence and impact.

Teachers are the backbone of schools, yet they are leaving in droves. This book addresses the post-pandemic crisis of early career teacher turnover that is harming students and entire school systems. The author provides teacher educators and mentors with strategies to help new teachers proactively navigate the early years and thrive in the K–12 classroom. Based on 10 years of research and practical application, this guide will support teacher professional identity formation, resilience, and agency. With a humanistic conceptual lens on the most pressing issues expressed by novice teachers, chapters cover understanding the causes of burnout and attrition, promoting an authentic teacher identity, appreciating teaching as developmental, managing tension and conflict, self-care for busy educators, and authoring a personalized early career plan. Each topic features assignment ideas, reflection prompts, and other tools suitable for both teacher preparation courses and one-on-one coaching and mentoring. Book Features: Offers field-tested tools to help preservice and new teachers avoid burnout and maintain their well-being.Includes step-by-step activities with templates that break down each of the tools discussed.Weaves together inspiring quotes, short anecdotes, and work samples from teachers who participated in the activities.Recommends distinct ways that K–12 induction programs, mentors, administrators, and early career teachers can use and adapt the ideas presented. “Valtierra is a beacon of hope, offering practical strategies and compelling insights to empower educators at the onset of their journey.” —Tina H. Boogren, bestselling author and educational consultant