Leadership Influence on the Twenty-First Century Teacher’s Motivation for Professional Development

Abstract

In Singapore, the focus of education is to prepare our human resource for the challenges of the twenty-first century. With the changing education landscape and the need to meet the needs of the economy, there is a need to constantly upgrade teacher competencies in order to engage the current students in learning. With globalization and the fast-changing environment that we live in, it would appear that teachers are playing ‘catch up’ with the different ways that students are learning. School leaders have the responsibility of planning teacher professional development (TPD) for the school and doing what is best with the students in mind. TPD, therefore, is a means to enhance students’ learning, through honing the skills and competencies of the teachers. The school principal is ultimately responsible for the overall school management, including TPD, although he/she may not always be directly involved in the operational process. The belief systems of these school leaders will have an impact on the culture of TPD in their school. However, Cooper believes that teachers are responsible for creating this culture in spite of the school principals’ belief systems. Barth posits that ‘the relationship between the teacher and principal…affects the character and quality of the school and the accomplishments of its students, more than any other factor’ (p. 146). It is then so important that school leaders create and contribute to a positive relationship between the teachers and themselves. This chapter explores how positive relationship makes communication easier between the teachers and school leaders, and help in encouraging teachers to attend TPD.