Principal Professional Learning as Part of the School Development Process
by David Stewart
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Overview
In this extract from his book, Tomorrow’s Principals Today (2000), David Stewart discusses that point that being a principal is “a complex, educative, intellectual activity”. He demonstrates the critical link between the professional learning of the school principal and the school improvement process.
Successful school development is a process that begins by the principal making a commitment to engaging in critical reflective thought.
Principals can develop the skills of critical reflection, Stewart suggests, through a range of “principal extension opportunities” which are sustained over time and often linked into other learning networks.
He points out that this critically reflective approach supports a “people not paper” attitude to principal professional development, rather than one which is focused on the more transactional areas of principal learning. Whilst acknowledging that understanding finance procedures, property management and other administrative issues are a necessary part of principal education, Stewart argues that the central focus for principal professional development, as it relates to school development, should be located within the realm of teaching and learning.
Reflective questions
These reflective questions might guide your reading of the extract:
- Critical reflective thinking is difficult to do on your own. How would you see this process taking place inside professional conversations? How might educators construct meaning about their work, and how might they demonstrate that “new” meaning has been incorporated into their current practice?
- When you think about “professional conversations”, what do you expect to occur? Do you expect a narrative supported with evidence? What kind of evidence would be appropriate? How might “quality learning circles” promote and support professional conversations?
Would you be interested in joining virtual groups for professional conversations? If so, you can contact David Stewart through his website: http://www.edex.net.nz
References
Stewart, D. (2000). Tomorrows’ Principals Today. Palmerston North: Kanuka Grove Press. Included with permission from the author.
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