The first 100,000 words: Writings on Education by a Teacher

Student-Centred Leadership by Viviane Robinson A solid leadership book, like much of the Edu Leadership writing landscape she leans quite heavily on Marzano and Hattie’s Meta-meta-analysis, if you don’t put too much stake into these two scholars work you will likely find some elements of this book a challenge. Indeed, the five elements she explores are based around ‘effect sizes’, so her entire book is intrinsically tied to the meta-meta-analysis or meta-analysis approach, something that is being increasingly challenged within the educational literature.  Putting that minor point aside, she provides a strong case for different elements of leadership and explores reasonably interesting anecdotes consistent with these themes, these anecdotes are not entertaining in themselves but provide context and illustration to the broad umbrella ideas being presented. She uses references relatively sparingly, citing the majority of key, well-known figures. When she does provide ...

Teacher: One woman’s struggle to keep the heart in teaching (#ieureading) Gabbie touches on the core touchstones of Australian Education, Initial Teacher Education as problematic and overly theoretical, learning by trial-by-fire, and apprenticeship of observation. At points she moves beyond her own experience to draw out the broader difficulties within our system, AITSL standards, NAPLAN and an increased focus on standardisation and the “Professionalisation” of teachers without allowing sufficient time for this to occur. Her comment on ‘teacher tiredness’ that leaves teachers curled up in the foetal position with their chosen vice struck home violently. She touches on the complex balancing act of caring and letting go, typified by her dual revelations of: “I teach Kindergarten” Versus “I do the most important work in the world” Whilst also drawing out the views of teaching as an Art versus teaching as a science and participating in the community of your school...