Afbeelding
Inaugural speech
In her speech, José addressed the task of creating a hopeful future for future generations by bringing the theme of pedagogical leadership to the attention of everyone responsible for children and young people. According to her, a pedagogical leader shows practical wisdom, creativity, and the intention to work together and takes action for all children, without excluding anyone. This way, children and young people can become resilient and develop self-confidence.
Miniature society
The current education system has a broader mandate regarding the development of children, young people, and students. "The school is often seen as 'society in miniature', as a community where children, young people, and students gain life experience and develop into critically thinking members of a democratic society," says José. "However, in recent decades, education has become too one-sidedly focused on cognitive development and achieving learning goals. This has led to the pedagogical role of teachers being overlooked. Education must also focus on 'being human', on the formation of the person, on helping children, young people, and students to find their place in the world with confidence and resilience. It is a complicated task that our professorship wants to support education professionals with."
Addressing teacher training, managers and administrators
José also notes the need to rethink the pedagogical basis of the teaching profession in teacher training programs. "We want to answer the question of what pedagogical professionalism is. What are we educating for? The question in education is linked to the question: 'what are we teaching for?' Both questions form the foundation of our professorship."
Finally, the professorship also focuses on the professional actions of educational leaders and administrators. "The education sector has become increasingly subject to accountability and regulatory pressures," says the new professor. "Especially for administrators and leaders, this has had a direct influence on their actions and choices, and pedagogy has become secondary in many situations. Educational leaders and administrators should choose a pedagogical perspective to facilitate the pedagogical action of the teacher. In other words, leading by example leads to good outcomes."
About the professor
Dr. José Middendorp began her teaching career as a teacher and internal supervisor in primary education. She worked for years as a teacher at the Pabo and completed a degree in Pedagogy and a master's degree in Ecological Pedagogy with research on life-constructs. The identity of the teacher and values with their stories come together in the constructs. José earned her Ph.D. in 2015 at the University of Humanistic Studies on the topic of 'pedagogically tactful action'. In recent years, José has been the team leader of the Master Educational Needs in collaboration with Windesheim, Master Learning & Innovation, the Master Educational Leadership (MEL), and the Master Pedagogy Academy Social Studies and coordinated the Behavior and Learning minor of the Pabo at NHL Stenden.
