Preparing Educators to Lead Professional Learning in P–12 Schools

The art and science of how children learn has a long history (Bellanca, 2010; Donovan & Bransford, 2005; Marzano, 2007). Robust P–12 educational systems, with knowledgeable and skilled professionals, exist to teach children in purposeful and developmentally appropriate ways. Fostering student learning, often referred to as pedagogy, prepares children for educational advancement and to enter the workforce. Interestingly, the importance of continued learning in adulthood is often overlooked (Courtney, 2018; Merriam & Bierema, 2018). Unlike children, educators are adult learners who are autonomous, have individual professional and personal goals, and have gained knowledge through their life and professional experiences (Knowles, 1978). These characteristics need to be understood and utilized to support their growth as professional learners who are equipped to lead schools as learning organizations.