Transformative Education through International Service-Learning

By bringing together a distinguished group of scholars who have deep, extensive and complementary knowledge and expertise of the Chinese education system, The Work and Lives of Teachers in China engages in detailed discussions on contemporary issues about teachers and teaching in China. It locates teachers’ work and lives in a critical analysis of the political, socio-cultural, ideological and educational reform contexts, and through this, demonstrates how teachers in different professional life phases and in different schools are able to retain their vocational strength and commitment for learning and development.

Using rich illustrations from real teachers in real primary and secondary schools, this book represents a collection of scholarly writings which build research and practice informed new knowledge about the nature of teachers’ work and lives in China. Through these comprehensive case studies, the book illustrates to policy makers, head teachers and training and development organisations the importance of sustaining teachers’ commitment and wellbeing in their efforts to improve quality and standards in today’s Chinese schools. The Work and Lives of Teachers in China provides valuable insight for policy makers, educators, researchers, teachers and students in education and beyond.

Introduction
Part I The Changing Landscape of Teaching in China
Chapter 1 Tensions and Dilemmas for Chinese Teachers in Responding to System Wide Change: New Ideas, Old Models (Junjun Chen & Christopher Day)
Chapter 2 Ideological, Social and Cultural Forces Influencing Teacher Education and Development in China: A Critical Analysis (Shibao Guo)

Part II Developing Teachers in Times of Change: Contexts Matter
Chapter 3 The Impact of Reform Policies on Teachers’ Work and Professionalism in the Chinese Mainland (Leslie Nai-Kwai Lo, Manhong Lai and Lijia Wang)
Chapter 4 The Honorary Road and Its Impact on Teacher Practice: An Analysis of China’s National Honour System in Cultivating Professional Development (Huan Song, Xudong Zhu and Laura B. Liu)
Chapter 5 Dilemmas of Teacher Development in the Context of Curriculum Reform (Hong-biao Yin)
Chapter 6 China’s Quest for World-Class Teachers: A Rational Model of National Initiatives and Institutional Transformations (Jun Li)

Part III What Keeps Teachers Going: Identity, Resilience and Commitment
Chapter 7 Professional Identities and Emotions of Teachers in the Context of Curriculum Reform: A Chinese Perspective (John Chi-Kin Lee, Yvonne Xianhan Huang, Edmond Hau-Fai Law & MuHua Wang)
Chapter 8 Sustaining Resilience in Times of Change: Stories of Chinese Teachers (Qing Gu and Qiong Li)
Chapter 9 How Principals Promote and Understand Teacher Development under Curriculum Reform in China (Haiyan Qian and Allan Walker)
Chapter 10 Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices: A Dynamic and Complex Relationship (Hongying Zheng)