Schools go through many changes. One emphasis that has been evident throughout recent years has been teacher professional development.  Those who know our recent past, as a profession, are aware of the challenges faced and the journey we have gone on to arrive in our current reality.  But the throughline has been an enhancing of skills, knowledge and confidence in our profession.

Schools can develop structures that allowed for teaching teams to be released together to engage in dialogue and professional learning. This enables a level of consistency in professionalism and works towards lowering levels of variability in instructional teaching.  Whilst these structures have enabled greater emphasis on data and planning in response to it, there are more ways to enhance a school and one such was is having a focus on learning.

At most schools, learning, as you would expect, has a significant emphasis.  There are innumerate ways to learn whilst at school such as academic, social, spiritual, emotional, conceptual etc.  And there are also different learners in a school setting, and they can be simply defined as people.  All of us are learners and can benefit from the insights of others to help guide and develop us into the full flourishing versions of ourselves.

Be in the process of developing a culture of learning – where each member of the school sees themselves as a learner and has a growth mindset toward their learning. Creating a learning culture in our school has numerous benefits for teachers (and in turn students). It provides opportunities for our teachers to collaborate and share best practices, ensuring that students are receiving the best possible education. A learning culture also fosters an environment where you can feel supported and empowered to take risks and innovate in their teaching. Additionally, a learning culture can create an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust between staff, allowing for more open communication and collaboration. By creating a culture of learning, we can ensure that our students receive a high-quality education and have the necessary tools to succeed.

One way you can build this is through observations and coaching. Observations and coaching can be a powerful tool for teachers when it comes to creating a culture of learning. Observations allow teachers to receive feedback and suggestions on their teaching style and have a better understanding of how their students are responding to their instruction. Through observations, teachers can identify areas where they can improve and develop more effective teaching strategies. Coaching can also provide teachers with the support they need to implement effective teaching strategies, as well as helping them develop the skills needed to create a successful learning environment.

Coaching can also provide teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their teaching practices, discuss successes and challenges with their peers, and develop the ability to become reflective practitioners. Through this process, teachers can gain an understanding of their own strengths and challenges and address any areas needing improvement. Coaching helps teachers create a culture of learning by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to build a successful learning community. By collaborating with colleagues, teachers can develop strategies to meet the needs of their students and create an engaging and effective learning environment.

It is exciting to see the potential of having teachers that see themselves as learners I would love every single staff member to see themselves as a learner and is coachable.  Some schools operate where the classroom walls are a protective barrier to others.  Ideally, you want to build a culture where people coming in to learning spaces is viewed as the everyday.  Whether people are coming to observe and learn or whether they are observing for the purposes of feedback and coaching, it shouldn’t matter. Aim for this to be a natural and organic part of your day and learning.