Enhancing Jamaican Teachers' Change Agency Through In-Service Teacher Development: Using Formal and Nonformal Approaches

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Division K Section 8 Poster Session 1

Abstract

Caribbean nations are faced with various environmental, social, and economic issues which can challenge their sustainable development pathways. Enhancing teachers’ change agency in particular is critical in order for teachers to be empowered to effect change within their schools and communities, and empower their students as change agents as well. This paper examines both formal and non-formal efforts to enhance Jamaican teachers’ change agency. Through both a postgraduate course which enhances individuals’ sense of efficacy as change agents as well as non-formal training workshops which encourage teachers to undertake practical and transformative action within their schools, change agency is effected. Teachers' reflections find that the specific course and workshop methodologies and activities support these efforts.

Author

• Therese Ferguson, University of the West Indies - Mona Campus