Decent Work for Teachers

A much needed and comprehensive analysis of teaching as work and teachers as workers. This book will be of value to all who are interested in advocating for 'decent work' for teachers, as a foundational element for ensuring quality education for students.

Howard Stevenson, Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Nottingham, UK

This impressive, accessible volume draws on a decade of research to examine the impacts of neoliberalism, policy and social change on the work and workloads of teachers in Australia, Sweden, and beyond. Building on evidence to provide policy recommendations, the book has a broad appeal for researchers, professionals, and policymakers.

Tracey Adams, Professor of Sociology, The University of Western Ontario, Canada

Teachers internationally are struggling to stay in a profession that demands more and more while failing to keep pace with contemporary expectations of work. This insightful and timely book asks challenging questions and provides a compelling argument which deserves to shape the future of teachers’ work, recognising the centrality of dignity in employment, a commitment to shared professional values, and the importance of teacher agency and voice.

Professor Becky Taylor, Centre for Teachers and Teaching Research, UCL Institute of Education, London, UK.

At a moment when teachers are under attack globally, Decent Work for Teachers is essential reading for identifying the educational policies and labor practices that have led to the intensification of teachers’ work and precarious and insecure working conditions, and illustrating why workplace democracy and improving teachers’ working conditions are crucial to building the schools our students deserve.

Rebecca Tarlau, Associate Professor of Education, Stanford University, author of Teacher Organizing Across the Americas: Diverse Strategies for Transforming Unions, Schools, and Societies

Against the backdrop of a 44 million global teacher shortage, Decent work for teachers: Problems, policies and possibilities provides even more evidence of the respect for and investment needed in teachers' pay, working conditions and job security if we are to attract and retain the teachers our students need and deserve.

Angelo Gavrielatos, Education International Campaign Manager, Go Public Fund Education. Former President NSW Teachers Federation and Federal President Australian education Union.

As Minister, I was often reminded that a teacher’s working environment is a student’s learning environment. This book is a further reminder to policy makers and school leaders that excessive workload and administrative demands must always be weighed against impact on learning.

Hon Adrian Piccoli, Former NSW Minister for Education