2001 Pan-Canadian Education Research Agenda Symposium Teacher Education/Educator Training: Current Trends and Future Directions

This article addresses the question What approaches, experiences and resources foster lifelong learning of teachers? drawing from a qualitative study of an approach to teacher development and supervision recently mandated in Alberta: teacher professional growth plans. The study interviewed teachers, principals, and superintendents in various jurisdictions about their experiences, perceptions and challenges implementing growth plans. The article first presents significant issues in current debates about lifelong learning in general and teachers ’ professional development in particular, then describes the research findings in terms of approaches, experiences and resources that appear to best enable teachers ’ learning. The article concludes that when implemented with commitment, affirmation and collaboration, teacher professional growth plans are a positive first step towards fostering learning communities in schools. Recommendations and cautions for the development and implementation of growth plan policies are provided, based on the Alberta experience