Teacher Developmen in Cuba : An analysis of two strategies

Abstract: The aim of this study is to describe two strategies of professional teacher development in Cuba and analyse how they affect the professional growth of the teachers. The strategies investigated are methodological work sessions and further education at the university. Eight upper-secondary school teachers were interviewed and it was analysed how their professional growth was affected by the Cuban professional development strategies. The model utilized was the interconnected model of professional growth (Clarke & Hollingsworth, 2002).The results show that, four of the eight interviewed teachers experienced change sequences and growth networks as a consequence of participating in the two investigated strategies. The methodological work sessions promote a collaborative approach among the teachers to developing the education in their school. Further education in the university, on the other hand, encourages the teachers to reflect individually on practical school-related problems. The results indicate that the organization of the work both the professional development strategies provided acted as an incentive for the interviewed teachers’ development.