Work environments are pivotal to teachers' professional development. However, effective instruments assessing teachers' perceived work context are still lacking. The principal aim of the present study was to validate a Work Environments Inventory for Teachers (WEIT) constructed using the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. Two studies were…

Background/purpose: Teachers play a critical role in student learning processes and in their academic success, and as such their job satisfaction directly impacts upon their teaching efficacy and lecture quality. In light of the importance of job satisfaction in educational practice, this study investigates the impact of work environment factors…

This study aimed at uncovering complexities surrounding in-service English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers' identity development. Literature still lacks knowledge about such process in the face of workplace conflicts and as to whether such conflicts vacillate EFL teachers' imagined and practiced identities, especially in the context of Iran.…

The purpose of this study was to explore paraeducators' perceptions of job-related supports, challenges, and effectiveness. Qualitative interviews were collect from 47 paraeducators across three states in the South and Southwest regions of the United States. A majority of paraeducators report being satisfied in their job and having positive…

Teachers' motivation to participate in professional learning is a significant factor in explaining the effectiveness of continuous professional development programmes. The present study investigated how factors at teachers' personal and school levels are related to their motivation to participate in professional learning activities. A…

Research has affirmed the importance of principals and mentors in supporting novice teachers; however, little is known about how teacher leaders contribute to this work. We employed a mixed methods design to examine teacher leaders' contributions to induction by surveying principals, teachers, and other staff (n = 246) and interviewing teacher…

Public schools have been under great scrutiny. National and international tests have exposed deficiencies of students' knowledge prompting federal and state legislation to focus on improving schools' effectiveness. The pressure induced by recent legislation have school districts scrambling to increase student achievement. One area of reform…

New teachers, especially those who are not certified in education, need support to succeed at teaching and remain in the profession. Because there is a growing national shortage of science teachers, many school districts are forced to hire teachers who have science degrees but little training in education or experience teaching. Research shows…

The data and research findings for this paper were derived from two studies. The first was commissioned to the National Afterschool Partnership (NAP) by the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate effective practices at the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLCs). The purpose of this study was to develop resources and professional…

This study describes how staff qualifications, decisions on staffing procedures, and professional development opportunities support the recruitment and retention of quality staff members. Four high-functioning programs were identified. Qualitative procedures and instruments were designed to capture staff and parents' academic perspectives about…

Since 2004, AISD has conducted an annual survey to monitor campus staff's perceptions of their school environment. The survey measures elements of teaching and learning conditions most critical to school success.

This research is part of a comprehensive effort to pinpoint the key leadership factors that improve student achievement and increase the number of high school graduates who are ready for college and careers. In this study, SREB (Southern Regional Education Board) examined the role of the district office in providing principals with the working…

This study explores stages of professional development among Israeli school counsellors by investigating their attitudes toward evolving professional identity and professional patterns across the career span. We interviewed 15 school counsellors from different age groups, seniority levels, and school types (elementary, middle, high). A consensual…

This paper investigates the relationship between innovative leadership preparation and teacher outcomes, building on prior research on the effects of preparation on leadership and effects of leadership on teacher outcomes by drawing on two different teacher samples (Stanford University-based study of innovative programs and the SASS teacher…

Relaxed intensity refers to a professional philosophy, demeanor, and way of life. It is the key to being an effective educational leader. To be successful one must be relaxed, which means managing stress efficiently, having fun, and enjoying work. Intensity allows one to get the job done and accomplish certain tasks or goals. Educational leaders…