Service, Ivan Chester

Insights Into How Membership and Participation Within Councils Supporting Art In Education Can Impact the Professional Practice of Teachers

Abstract

Not much is known of how professionally related activities outside of schools may inform the practice of teachers within their classroom, particularly for educators who incorporate art into their instruction. In order to better understand this topic, the current study attempts to answer the question, how can membership within a council supporting art in education inform a teacher’s practice? Participants were two full-time teachers who regularly utilise art techniques to deliver curriculum and are members of a council outside of their schools that advocate for and prepare teachers to include art in their practice. Preliminary results suggest that a council’s organisational structure plays an important role in providing the opportunities necessary for a teacher to develop their professional knowledge and skills.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Daphne Heywood for her incredible insights, guidance, and supportive feedback throughout this project, my research group for their continuous support and enthusiasm toward social justice in education, the participants of this study who shared their inspiring stories, challenges, and triumphs, Kathleen Gallagher for her invaluable mentorship over the years, and my wonderful wife, Paula, for her infinite amount of patience and love.