New Book for Dr. Elliott-Johns

Congratulations to Dr. Susan Elliott-Johns, associate professor in the Schulich School of Education, on the publication of her new book, Leadership for Change in Teacher Education: Voices of Canadian Deans of Education (Sense Publishers).

In the current era of teacher education reform, Dr. Elliott-Johns set out to explore what it means to be a dean of education in the 21st century? What can be learned from deans of education to better understand the nature of their work in leadership for teacher education in the current contexts of significant transitions, change and uncertainty? 

Deans of education across Canada were invited to reflect on the research, policies and practices currently informing their leadership. Dr. Elliott-Johns’ book presents a rich sampling of diverse perspectives in a unique and provocative collection of 14 short essays by Canadian deans of education, all deeply engaged in the complexities inherent in leading change. These essays explore important insights and offer increased understandings of the complexities of tackling the multi-faceted processes of leading change for teacher education in contemporary contexts. Taken separately, each essay presents critical issues and insights relevant to navigating the complex demands of leadership for 21st century teacher education. Collectively, the essays present an illuminating collage of insider voices on a topic that has a very limited profile in the literature. 

In her conclusions, Dr. Elliott-Johns describes the nature of the dean’s role as a highly complex balancing act of leadership, administration and management of academics in situated contexts; it is also a rapidly changing role, internally and externally political, and one that requires incumbents to serve many masters. Yet research that offers better understandings and acknowledges, complements, supports and extends the complex work of deans is not prevalent in the literature. Dr. Elliott-Johns recommends urgent attention, in both research and practice, to the preparation of deans for this increasingly complex role, and more coherent support for ongoing professional learning and sustainable leadership. 

“This thought-provoking book makes a valuable contribution to the literature on reconceptualising leadership for teacher education,” said professor Fern Snart, Dean of Education, University of Alberta. 

More information, including the Table of Contents and a sample of the first three chapters, is available right here.