Ethical leadership

What is ethical leadership? Have you ever wondered what your ethical responsibilities are as an educational leader in 21st century educational contexts, or where to look for ethical guidance? As teachers in early childhood, primary and secondary schools, vocational education and higher education contexts, we all share the complexities of managing relationships effectively, respectfully and fairly. The Victorian Institute of Teaching reminds us that as teachers that \u27we hold a unique position of trust and influence, which we recognise in our relationships with students, parents (caregivers and guardians), colleagues and the community.\u27 Along with our unique position, educational contexts in contemporary times are complex, there are competing and contradictory agendas that we need to contend with, ever increasing and changing accountabilities, and yet as teachers we are expected to always be inclusive, equitable and fair decision makers. So, how can we be ethical leaders

Critical pedagogy: A useful framework for thinking about early childhood curriculum

In this time of rapid curriculum change within early childhood education, critical pedagogy is an ideal framework from which to view early childhood curriculum practice and research. It is the intention of this paper to provide a snapshot of the basic tenets of critical pedagogy and how these can be applied to early childhood curricular decision-making, particularly in relation to preschool education. This paper is conceptual in its make up and maintains that early childhood education benefits from being part of the inter-sectoral curricular discourse. Its aim is to familiarise early childhood educators and researchers with the language of critique offered by critical pedagogy and show how this can be a useful framework for thinking about early childhood curriculum

Performative accountability and early childhood teaching

This paper reports on the findings from a PhD study that investigated influences affecting early childhood teacher decision making at the preschool level in Victoria, Australia. A critical discourse analysis of preschool teacher interviews and curricula related policies found that developmentally appropriate practice was a dominant discourse influencing teacher decision making and, despite no government-mandated curricula framework at the time, teachers were held accountable for their curricula practice. Critical theory was the underpinning framework used for the study and it enabled taken-for-granted understandings to be uncovered within early childhood policies and teacher interviews. The concepts of power, authority, and accountability were examined in policy and in interview transcripts, and subsequently, various forms of control and obligation were brought to the forefront