Developing teachers' democratic professional ethos through self-reflection - a precondition for democratic school culture and student empowerment

Keynote 17 June

Professor Claudia Lenz, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society 

Developing teachers' democratic professional ethos through self-reflection - a precondition for democratic school culture and student empowerment

Claudia Lenz

In my lecture, I will focus on the importance of teachers' reflective practice for the development of a democratic professional ethos and practice. Educational theory and international empirical studies on civic and citizenship education highlight the importance of inclusive learning environments, relations built on mutual acknowledgement and trust, as well as opportunities for engagement and participation in school for the development of democratic competencies in learner. This kind of educational culture depends on teachers, who act as democratic role models, and who interact constructively and supportive with colleagues, students and parents. I will explore the aspect of the teacher's self-reflection and her/his readiness to constantly revise existing practice in the light of democratic principles as a core element in the development of a democratic professional ethos. Experiences from the process of developing a teacher reflection tool, related to the Council of Europe Reference Framework "Competences for Democratic Culture" will be used to delineate possibilities and challenges for the development of the democratically reflected teacher.