The current study reported here is one within a research project aimed at the identification of enabling and constraining factors in a two-year school-development project at a large secondary school in Sweden, where all teaching staff were involved in improving the quality of instruction through collaborative analyses. In this project a development group, consisting of one principal and eight lead teachers/middle leaders, played a vital role. Based on activity theory and an understanding of leadership as practice involving individuals, organization and artefacts, this study sets out to deepen the knowledge of leadership practices in locally situated, teacher-driven, school-development work. Organizational changes occurring when the development group sought to achieve a model for systematic collaborative learning are analysed, with a specific focus on the role of middle leaders. Data were collected through observations and interviews during the project’s planning phase and through subsequent interviews and continuously written self-reflections during its operational phase. Several contradictions on various levels in the activity system are identified, and it is suggested that the school’s way of organizing teacher-driven school-development work – by transforming the rules, division of labor and mediating artifacts of the activity system – enabled collaborative learning and analyses of instruction that involved all teachers at the school.

Segolsson (2020): "Had there been a Monica in each subject, I would have liked going to school every day": a study of students' perceptions of what characterizes excellent teachers and their teaching actions, Education Inquiry,

The study answers the following question: What teaching practices do skilled teachers report as being key to enabling successful teaching with respect to inclusion and knowledge development?The participants in this study where 20 teachers, from 10 Swedish municipalities, who taught 16 to 18 year-old students. The study is based on interviews with (recognised) skilled teachers who possess the ability to include all of their students in everyday teaching practices in such a way that students are motivated to engage in knowledge development, based on their unique abilities. All of the participating teachers are in agreement that good knowledge of the subject being taught is foundational to such teaching, but other abilities are needed if teaching is to be successful. Based on phenomenological theory, this study identifies six themes which complement 'good knowledge of the subject'. The themes relevant to teaching success are: (i) the active and systematic creation of relationships; (ii) demonstration that the teacher wants to be with the student, here and now; (iii) a continual striving to become a better teacher and demonstration of the same; (iv) a sharing of responsibility for learning with the students; (v) the creation of learning opportunities; (vi) the establishment of trust and a sense of security.

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