Teacher Working Conditions That Matter: Evidence for Change

A few years ago, ETFO published a book written by Kenneth Leithwood, entitled "Teacher Working Conditions That Matter: Evidence for Change". This book makes a number of recommendations for improving teachers' working conditions, all of them supported with strong evidence, and it outlines the very strong connection between teacher working conditions and student learning outcomes.

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 4 "What Can be Done? Recommendations" and highlights some of the five interdependent recommendations for teachers.... I've abbreviated some of the section to make for a "quicker read".

• Build your own network of professional colleagues.

"....A network of professional colleagues - inside or outside the school - can be a powerful source of ongoing, informal professional development, contributing to both your pedagogical content knowledge, as well as your sense of professional self-efficacy.

A network...is an important source of those social supports that are the key to reducing anxiety, stress, and the likelihood of becoming burnt out. So stay connected especially when there seems to be too much marking to go to the staff room or out to lunch with your colleagues."

• Be proactive about your own professional development.

"....Professional development is typically associated with formally structured events, often located outside the school and usually designed and run by someone outside the school. Considerable evidence now suggests that the most powerful forms of professional development are often informal, are designed by teachers themselves, and take place in the teachers' own schools..."

• Expect effective leadership from your administrators.

"....Everyone (not just students) is influenced by the expectations of others. Administrators are no exception. You should expect effective leadership from your administrators, especially from your principal... It is a great disservice to your students and your school if you do not expect and have effective principal leadership. It is that important. Expect and demand effective principal leadership. What is the effective leadership you should expect?..."

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 TOMORROW, WHERE KENNETH LEITHWOOD WILL ANSWER THIS IMPORTANT QUESTION!!!