Transformational Professional Learning: Making a Difference in Schools

Emerging from an education world that sees professional learning as a tool to positively shape teaching practice in order to improve student learning, Transformational Professional Learning elucidates professional learning that is transformational for teachers, school leaders, and schools.

Written from the unique ‘pracademic’ perspective of an author who is herself a practising teacher, school leader, and researcher, this book articulates the why and the what of professional learning. It acts as a bridge between research and practice by weaving scholarly literature together with the lived experience of the author and with the voices of those working in schools. It covers topics from conferences, coaching, and collaboration, to teacher standards and leadership of professional learning.

This book questions the ways in which professional learning is often wielded in educational settings and shows where teachers, school leaders, system leaders, and researchers can best invest their time and resources in order to support and develop the individuals, teams, and cultures in schools. It will be of great interest to teachers, leaders within schools, staff responsible for professional learning in school contexts, professional learning consultants, professional learning providers, and education researchers.

Dr Deborah Netolicky is an education leader and researcher with more than 25 years of experience leading and teaching in independent schools across Australia and England. Operating as a 'pracademic'―bridging the gap between academic scholarship and high-stakes school governance―Deborah is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and holds a PhD in school leadership and educational change. Currently serving as a school principal, senior fellow, and board member, she is dedicated to building futures-looking organisational cultures of trust, inclusivity, and rigour. Deborah’s leadership is anchored in collective action, stakeholder engagement, and strategic governance to ensure schools, staff, and students are prepared for a technology-rich world, while honouring tradition and remaining anchored in human values.