Repairing the Educational Landscape: Equipping Teachers to Promote Student Well-Being for Democratic and Flourishing Societies

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Can teachers who believe education is the ‘midwife of democracy’ create cultures promoting wellbeing for learning? This symposium explores how teacher education research and professional development can remedy teachers’ capacity to promote student wellbeing for education renewal. We examine perspectives in wellbeing research and teacher capabilities to bridge the gap between teacher preparation and skills needed to support student wellbeing. Adopting Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and a multidimensional wellbeing model, we conceptualise how to support teacher wellbeing capabilities and teaching practices. We investigate how teachers understand their impact, and if it can be enhanced through teacher education, ultimately supporting the development of engaged, democratic citizens. Our findings will contribute to renewal and support democracy’s goal of creating flourishing communities.

Sub Unit

• Division K - Teaching and Teacher Education / Division K - Section 05: Teacher & Teacher Educator Learning

Chair

• Mathew White, University of Adelaide

Papers

• Toward a consensus on wellbeing in education - Mathew White, University of Adelaide

• Addressing Teacher Wellbeing in Australia: Challenges and Imperatives for Initial Teacher Education - Wayne Cotton, University of Sydney

• Examining the role of school health promotion and its connection to teacher action - Ruth Aston, University of Adelaide

• Teacher perceptions of wellbeing professional development to lead change: a case study - Tom Porta, University of Adelaide

• Bridging the research to practice gap: preparing teachers for wellbeing in a changing landscape - Janet M Clinton, University of Melbourne; Laura Dainton Smith, University of Melbourne

Discussant

• Jon Quach, University of Melbourne