Sustainability of Teacher Professional Development: Perspectives of Teacher Leaders and Teachers in Lesson Study Groups

• In Event: Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Longitudinal Professional Development for Teacher Learning

Abstract

This case study focuses on the perspectives of experienced teachers and teacher leaders to document and explore how two groups of teachers in Coast County, Florida, have been able to sustain their practice of lesson study in unstable school and district contexts. While a growing body of research supports the effectiveness of collaborative professional developments (PD) such as lesson study, more research is needed on how the existing practices of teachers may inform the sustainability of such PDs. We find that teachers perceive administrative support, capable facilitation, and teacher ownership of and commitment to the professional learning process as keys to the sustainability of lesson study in unstable school and district contexts.

Authors

• Cassie Howard, Florida State University

• Motoko Akiba, Florida State University

• Angelina Kuleshova, Florida State University

• Gareth Bryan Wilkinson, Florida State University

• Guillermo J. Farfan, Florida State University