Rejuvenating Experienced Teachers Through Professional Development: The Impact of Quality Teaching Rounds

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Division K Roundtable Session 4

Abstract

While improving the quality of teaching is a major policy goal globally, and widely considered fundamental to improving student outcomes, rigorous evidence of the impact of professional development (PD) remains elusive. In particular, the possibility that the effectiveness of PD is mediated by the teachers who participate has received little attention. With PD to improve teaching quality in many countries embedded in systems designed to hold teachers to account, experienced teachers may feel their well-established practices are no longer good enough. This paper explores the capacity of PD to fortify experienced teachers’ motivation, commitment and resilience, all of which are essential to their willingness and capacity to maintain teaching at its best.

Authors

• Jennifer M. Gore, The University of Newcastle

• Bernadette Rickards, The University of Newcastle