Developing a school based model for optimising the professional development of Canadian primary school teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a school based model for optimizing the professional development of Canadian primary school teachers. This study focused on the role of the school principal in teacher development and improving learner achievement data. This study utilised a literature review covering a comprehensive review of existing models of teacher development, the school as a professional learning community and the role of the school principal. The empirical investigation was based on a mixed methods approach using a quantitative questionnaire with a sample of 145 out of a possible 200 (representing a 73% return rate) and twenty (10 school principals & 10 teachers) qualitative semi-structured in-depth individual interviews to gather data from both a teacher group and a school management group from a teacher education faculty at a local university and a selected English Public school district in Canada in the province of Ontario.