While the impact teachers make on learning is well-understood, there’s less appreciation for how principals can foster learning environments that empower students.
In this six-minute video, Joanna Michelson, director of teacher leadership and learning at the UW Center for Educational Leadership (CEL), shares insights from the work she does with principals and district leaders. Drawing examples from the transformational leadership improvements at the rural Blaine School District in Washington state, she invites the audience to recall their own experiences as students — and to consider how much adult learning impacts student learning.
“Whatever it is you want for students, create that for teachers first. Remember, adult and student learning are intertwined. So if (you want) students to develop their sense of agency, then teachers need to develop their sense of agency as well.”
– Joanna Michelson
The video was recorded as part of the UW College of Education’s EduTalks 2020 event. EduTalks is a fast-paced series of talks by University of Washington College of Education researchers and alumni working to unlock the potential of all students.
The most recent event, “Tipping Points: Leveraging Change in Education,” highlighted work by UW researchers and local education leaders with significant potential to improve young people’s educational experiences.