HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY PRACTICE AS A SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND CREATE MY OWN LIVING EDUCATIONAL THEORY?

Abstract of PhD Submission
Jackie Delong

One of the basic tenets of my philosophy is that the development of a culture for improving learning rests upon supporting the knowledge-creating capacity in each individual in the system. Thus, I start with my own. This thesis sets out a claim to know my own learning in my educational inquiry, 'How can I improve my practice as a superintendent of schools?'

Out of this philosophy emerges my belief that the professional development of each teacher rests in their own knowledge-creating capacities as they examine their own practice in helping their students to improve their learning. In creating my own educational theory and supporting teachers in creating theirs, we engage with and use insights from the theories of others in the process of improving student learning.

The originality of the contribution of this thesis to the academic and professional knowledge-base of education is in the systematic way I transform my embodied educational values into educational standards of practice and judgement in the creation of my living educational theory. In the thesis I demonstrate how these values and standards can be used critically both to test the validity of my knowledge-claims and to be a powerful motivator in my living educational inquiry.

The values and standards are defined in terms of valuing the other in my professional practice, building a culture of inquiry, reflection and scholarship and creating knowledge.

CONTENTS

You can download the PhD in chapters and sections in Word 98 - do note the size of the files due to the inclusion of photographs

COVER, ABSTRACT, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRAMING THE THESIS

THE PERSONAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONTEXT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD Size 4.2MB

COMMUNICATING MY VALUING THE OTHER IN MY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

A) TWO STUDIES OF SINGULARITY
B) FAMILIES OF SCHOOLS
Size 1.4MB

BUILDING A CULTURE OF INQUIRY, REFLECTION AND SCHOLARSHIP

A) MOBILIZING SYSTEMS TO ENHANCE TEACHERS' RESEARCH-BASED PROFESSIONALISM IN IMPROVING STUDENT LEARNING
B) SUSTAINING SUPPORT FOR INQUIRY
size 19.4MB

CREATING MY EMBODIED KNOWING IN BEING A LEADER size 5.8MB

A METHODOLOGY OF MEANING MAKING Size 7.5MB

A METHODOLOGY OF MEANING MAKING - This is in PDF format because some reports have come in about difficulties of downloading the images from the WORD file Size 2.8MB

ENDPIECE

REFERENCES

APPENDICES:
PART A PAPERS AND PUBLICATIONS
PART B ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS
PART C REPORTS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
PART D PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
Size 6.7MB