In Years 8 and 9 of secondary school Josh was a self-confessed troublemaker who hated school, frequently truanted and was at risk of early leaving. In year 9, a teacher invited him to join the "Scaly Survivors" program operating at his school. By year 11 Josh was the student leader in that program and a mentor to younger students. In…

I have been an English teacher for 38 (gulp!) years. For over 20 of those I have taught "English methods" courses in initial teacher education programs. As the retirement light glows increasingly brighter at the end of my career pathway, I reflect on three aspects of teaching English that have been--and remain--the cornerstones of my professional…

This article argues that when secondary school teachers are able to listen to the stories young people tell about themselves and their lives there is potential to improve their literacy outcomes. As a way of illustrating how and what can be achieved, this article tells the stories of two young men who scored below benchmark on the Year 9 LaN…

Offers an individual account from each of the three authors (a practicum (student) teacher, his supervising school teacher, and his university professor) describing their experience and their interactions. Shows how they explored the complex interplay between theory and practice in the university and the school classroom, clarifying what matters…