School leaders

In today’s Leadership Q&A Teacher Editor Jo Earp talks to Ibu Sri Sulastri, Principal of GagasCeria Elementary School in Bandung, Indonesia, about creating an enjoyable culture of teacher learning and development using an approach known as Lesson Study.

In this leadership Q&A, Cholis Mu’arifah shares how Muhammadiyah 9 Middle School Jakarta, Indonesia, is providing students with real-world and authentic learning and how teachers have adapted programs to ensure these experiences continued during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

At PENABUR Kelapa Gading School in north Jakarta, all new teachers are partnered with a senior mentor, but the school has gone one step further – extending the approach to all staff and involving all levels of leadership.

‘For some, this transition will be filled with as much anxiety as the first day of school or the school year.’ In this reader submission, Dr Carl Leonard and Dr Gail Brown provide tips and suggestions for teachers and leaders to help manage the transition for all students, and particularly those with additional needs.

While COVID-19 is grinding much of society to a halt, schooling has entered uncharted territory. During this time, it is important that teachers look after themselves. Our latest reader submission shares several evidence-backed strategies that can help support teachers’ wellbeing.

‘In this home-supported learning environment parents are being called upon to play a broader role in their children’s education. The role of the parent is not to replace the teacher in learning from home …’ Dr Tanya Vaughan and Susannah Schoeffel share evidence on how teachers can work with parents to support students in a rapidly changing education landscape.

‘As the COVID-19 situation unfolds, schools are closing to protect their students and the broader public – but this doesn’t mean a stop to learning for students or teachers.’ Dr Anne-Marie Chase and Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy share three phases of research-based decisions education systems and schools should be making now in relation to technology-enabled learning.

Developing the expertise of teaching and supporting staff is a key element in improving outcomes for all students. This school has moved away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to staff professional development, and is now exploring creative opportunities to allow teachers to have a voice in how they develop as professionals.

School leadership is a complex role, and leading a small school can present its own challenges. Experienced school leader Alasdair Maclean has spent his career in small schools. Reflecting on what he’s learned, he tells Teacher that building productive relationships is crucial.

In today’s video Teacher magazine sits down with Australian Council for Educational Research CEO Professor Geoff Masters AO to discuss why it is important that students are involved in the process of setting goals for their own learning and can monitor the progress that they’re making.