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Professional development, professional scepticism, and the uncomfortable truth about how teachers respond to new ideas. Author introduction Elizabeth Giles taught English in NSW public high schools for 25 years and has served as both Head Teacher Literacy & Learning Support and Head Teacher Curriculum. She now works in learning and professional development design, and vocational education. Elizabeth writes about teaching, professional learning, educational innovation and the

If a student leaves school with only one capability, what should it be? For me, the answer is confidence. Not the confidence that comes from being the best in the class or collecting the highest mark, but the confidence to attempt something difficult, fail, and try again. The confidence to ask questions and go looking for answers. Without that kind of confidence, learning becomes an exercise in avoiding mistakes rather than discovering new ideas. Ironically, confidence is