In this book, I have sought to share my living educational theory based on my 30-plus years of teaching and reflection on my practice to create pedagogical thoughtfulness in my readers and influence their practice. I have three target audiences; students, pre-service and in-service teachers and the community of educational researchers.
In the first section I describe my practice. I believe that each student has a different learning profile when it comes to how information is received, processed and ultimately turned into knowledge. This section also acts as a memoir as I take the opportunity to acknowledge the people who have influenced my journey.
In the second section, I delve into the academic literature to explore the theory of critical constructivism that underlies my practice which I encountered in my post-graduate studies.
Ultimately, the book focuses on how teachers can create space where students are encouraged to question, use their creativity and imagination, and learn from mistakes. It is about engagement - engagement of students as active participants in their learning journey and knowledge construction, and better engagement of teachers to act as their guides.
Gary Simpson has taught in government secondary and independent schools in Victoria, Australia for more than 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Environmental Science), Master of Education, Master of Arts (Science, Technology and Society) and Doctor of Philosophy (Science Education). Prior to teaching, he worked for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Division of Atmospheric Research as a Technical Assistant and the Victorian National Parks Service as a Scientific Officer. These industrial experiences have been of great importance to the manner in which he teaches the process of science. During his time in schools, he has held various positions of responsibility: curriculum focussed positions include; Director of Curriculum Initiatives (Independent Learning), Head of Geography, Assistant Head of Science Faculty and Head of Science Faculty, and pastoral care focussed positions include; Director of the Student Representative Council and Head of Homestead. He has shared his passion for the environment and conservation, music and theatre and sport, by organising student environment action groups in all the schools in which he has taught, singing with choirs, helping with plays and musicals and coaching soccer and cricket teams. He has published widely in teacher journals and has been a regular presenter at conferences. Gary is currently the Director of the Brian Henderson Wildlife Reserve, Woodleigh School involved in breeding endangered species with his students and teaches science at the school. He received the inaugural Teacher Leader Award of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders in 2007, which resulted in an invitation by the Singaporean Ministry of Education to deliver a keynote address to their annual teacher conference the following year. In 2015 he was inducted into the Zoos Victoria Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years working with Zoos Victoria's Education Service and many other conservation reserves and agencies to engage students in conservation of ecosystems and endangered species.
