The professional leadership and action research training model: Supporting early childhood leadership

Abstract

This paper contributes to the discussion on early childhood leadership, pedagogy and change management during times of intense change. The study reported was funded by the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) to strengthen pedagogical knowledge and leadership capacity in teachers aspiring to be early childhood leaders. A Professional Leadership and Action Research (PLAR) Training Model, was developed by the researcher and evaluated by 17 independent school teachers who completed the study. Data were drawn from surveys, conversations, interviews, focus groups, individual action research reports, reflective journals and document analysis. At the completion of the study, the 17 teacher leaders evaluated the PLAR Training Model as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’, and validated its six elements, endorsing its capacity to strengthen leadership, pedagogy and research output.