This workbook is designed to accompany Unlocking Teacher Development and support school leaders in translating its ideas into meaningful reflection, dialogue, and action.
While the book explores how schools can better support teacher growth, this workbook focuses on helping you apply that thinking directly to your own context. It invites you to engage with each idea in a structured, practical way; whether you are reading independently, working with a leadership team, or leading professional development sessions.
Aims of the Workbook
- To prompt reflection on the key arguments and frameworks presented in each chapter.
- To connect theory to practice by encouraging leaders to examine how the book’s ideas show up in their own schools.
- To support strategic development by helping leaders turn insight into action.
- To foster deeper conversations among leadership teams about the culture, systems and behaviours that shape teacher development.
How to Use This Workbook
Each section of the workbook corresponds directly to a subchapter of Unlocking Teacher Development (e.g. 2.3.5 or 4.1.3). For every subchapter, you’ll find three reflective questions:
- Start Here – a warm-up or grounding question to surface your initial thinking.
- Dig Deeper – a more challenging or theoretical prompt to encourage critical analysis.
- Put into Practice – a practical, action-oriented question designed to move you toward implementation.
You might choose to use the questions:
- Individually, as a journal or planning tool;
- With colleagues, to frame discussions in leadership meetings or CPD sessions;
- Strategically, to audit and improve systems related to observation, feedback, coaching, or culture;
- Formatively, as prompts for coaching conversations or leadership training.
There is no one right way to use this workbook. It is intended to be flexible, thought-provoking and useful ; a tool to help you lead teacher development with clarity, integrity and impact.
Adam Robbins Education 