Developing Teachers’ Collaborative Expertise in School Well-being

Tuija Ukskoski; Marja- Kristiina Lerkkanen

Developing Teachers’ Collaborative Expertise in School Well-being

Abstract

This participatory action research aimed to understand teachers’ experiences and the development process of collaborative expertise in a school well-being program implemented in Finnish comprehensive schools. Teachers from two schools participated in a school well-being program for one and a half school years. During the program, they reflected on their workplace practices, processes and actions for promoting school well-being during the program. The research included focus group interviews at the beginning and end of the program. The thematic analysis revealed that key elements for collaborative expertise are courage to accept uncertainty, understanding school culture as a constant and complex development process, and educational leadership. These elements enable a reflective, broad-minded and resilient school culture, which is essential for developing teachers’ collaborative expertise in school well-being. In conclusion, teacher educators, educational researchers and education policymakers are called on to reorganise initial teacher training, the induction phase of teachers and in-service training from the perspectives of expertise and organisational studies. Additional process-oriented, continuous development and novel methods and practices are also needed to enhance well-being in the whole school community.

Keywords

Project Number

EduRESCUE – the Resilient Schools and Education System, Academy of Finland #345196

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

In-Service Training , Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators , Higher Education Systems , Teacher and Student Wellbeing

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Tuija Ukskoski ^*
0000-0002-6602-3294
Finland

Marja- Kristiina Lerkkanen This is me
0000-0002-5709-5800
Finland

Publication Date

December 31, 2024

Submission Date

March 26, 2024

Acceptance Date

December 24, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 13 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA59JW82NJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ukskoski, T., & Lerkkanen, M.- K. (2024). Developing Teachers’ Collaborative Expertise in School Well-being. Journal of Teacher Education and Educators, 13(3), 167-183. https://izlik.org/JA59JW82NJ