"Focus[es] on the ... perspective of the 'managed'. ... Throughout the book teachers' own comments illustrate the inticacies of morale, job satisfaction and motivation and enhance our understanding of how, through appropriate school management and leadership, headteachers may get the best out of their staff" --back cover.
Anyone who has spent time in education knows that teachers achieve more when they feel better motivated. The media, policy makers, teachers' unions, and a multitude of others have opinions on how leaders should motivate staff, but what really works?In this timely and constructive book, Linda Evans draws from a wealth of evidence and experience to answer this question. She shares examples drawn from a range of educational settings, from schools for young children to colleges for older students, and shows the contrast between successful and unsuccessful management of teachers' motivation.
Based on a DfES funded study of 300 teachers in 100 primary and secondary schools in England, the authors identify different patterns of influence and effect between groups of teachers, which provide powerful evidence of the complexities of teachers' work, lives, identity and commitment, in relation to their sense of agency, well-being, resilience and pupil attitudes and attainment. This, in turn, provides a clear message for teachers, teachers' associations, school leaders and policy makers internationally, in understanding and supporting the need to build and sustain school and classroom effectiveness.
Have you ever found that your initial research training--if indeed you received one--has proved not entirely adequate? Has you ever found research more complex or intractable than expected? If so, this book is for you. Drawing on examples from her own research and others, Linda Evans shows how, as reflective practioners, researchers as can develop more advanced methods and understandings.
This book is designed as a text for teacher education graduate programs, as well as a resource for school administrators and researchers and provides a global perspective to the current issues related to teacher dispositions, their place in teacher education programs, and impact on education reform around the world. Drawing from researchers around the globe, the text provides a comprehensive examination of the theoretical aspects of dispositions in education, including discussions on the social-cognitive perspectives in dispositional development and the pedagogical practices used in conjunction with teacher dispositions. Practices for assessing teacher dispositions will be included, focusing on methodologies for instrument development and the challenges of language and meaning when constructing items to assess dispositions. The text also includes a discussion of the virtual/online classroom and how teacher dispositions are influencing teacher and student relationships. These topics are explored from a global perspective with special emphasis on how the awareness of teacher dispositions and their role in the classroom are making transformative changes to teacher education programs, educational practices, and student outcomes around the world. Part 1 provides a descriptive, progressive narrative of dispositions in teacher education including social and cognitive theories in dispositional development, assessment of dispositions, and the role of dispositions in teacher preparation and teacher program certification. Part 2 takes the reader around the globe as scholars from around the world provide insight into how teacher dispositions impact teaching and learning from Finland to Japan and points in between. The chapters highlight case studies and research related to teacher dispositions from traditional and alternative teacher certification program, as well as online classrooms. Part 3 concludes with a discussion on the global and intercultural connection as related to teaching dispositions.
This booklet presents articles that deal with identifying signs of stress and methods of reducing work-related stressors. An introductory article gives a summary of the causes, consequences, and cures of teacher stress and burnout. In articles on recognizing signs of stress, "Type A" and "Type B" personalities are examined, with implications for stressful behavior related to each type, and a case history of a teacher who was beaten by a student is given. Methods of overcoming job-related stress are suggested in eight articles: (1) "How Some Teachers Avoid Burnout"; (2) "The Nibble Method of Overcoming Stress"; (3) "Twenty Ways I Save Time"; (4) "How To Bring Forth The Relaxation Response"; (5) "How To Draw Vitality From Stress"; (6) "Six Steps to a Positive Addiction"; (7)"Positive Denial: The Case For Not Facing Reality"; and (8) "Conquering Common Stressors". A workshop guide is offered for reducing and preventing teacher burnout by establishing support groups, reducing stressors, changing perceptions of stressors, and improving coping abilities. Workshop roles of initiator, facilitator, and members are discussed. An annotated bibliography of twelve books about stress is included. (FG)
In times of increasing teacher shortage, this excellent guide gives advice on how to recruit and keep good teachers. It includes case studies of schools and LEAs that have been particularly successful, even in challenging circumstances.
"What strategies do great principals use to influence teachers, students, and classroom instruction? This best-selling book by Joseph Blase and Peggy C. Kirby, now in its third edition, provides the answers from the teachers themselves. New material in this revised edition compares the authors' original research findings with recent literature on transformational leadership, school productivity, and adult learning, as well as the ISLLC and ELCC standards. Such comparisons underscore the continued timeliness and timelessness of this teacher's-eye view of effective school leadership. The book offers strategies and related practices that allow leaders to use the power of praise, influence others by using expectations and involvement, encourage professional autonomy lead by standing behind, suggest rather than direct, use formal authority positively, ideal for experienced or aspiring school principals, this enlightening and compact resource provides invaluable perspectives on how to motivate and inspire classroom teachers."--PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE.