Haili Hughes and Shane Leaning discuss the ongoing crisis in the teaching profession, focusing on the challenges of teacher retention, the impact of toxic leadership, and the need for a supportive culture within schools. They explore the internal and external factors contributing to the crisis, including public perception, accountability, and the importance of psychological safety for teachers. The discussion emphasises the need for educational leaders to create environments that nurture growth and well-being for educators, ultimately benefiting students as well.

Takeaways

·     Teacher retention is a crisis in many countries, including the UK, and is influenced by factors such as erosion of respect for teachers and negative media portrayal.

·     Toxic leadership is a significant problem in schools and can lead to high levels of stress and burnout among teachers.

·     Creating a supportive and empowering culture in schools is crucial for retaining teachers and promoting their well-being.

·     Leaders should prioritise teacher agency and provide opportunities for professional growth and development.

·     Accountability is important, but high-stakes and performative accountability measures can be counterproductive and erode teacher creativity and self-efficacy.

·     Building a sense of belonging and community among teachers is essential for creating a positive work environment.

Links

Preserving Positivity (Book): amzn.eu/d/cwvo6ek

Haili on X/Twitter: x.com/HughesHaili

Haili on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-haili-hughes-178479186/

This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.

About the host

Shane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach.

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