The Question of the Third Space

After nearly 20 years in the classroom as a teacher or holding a leadership position within a school setting, I with mixed feelings have decided to take the LEAP into the world of academia at the University of Melbourne and undertake a PhD next year after completing my Masters by Research this year. To do this and give it all of my complete, focussed attention, I have resigned from the world of teaching within a K-12 environment and teaching.

For my entire adult working like I have lived each year, term by year, school year by school year and loved everyday. Certainly some days have more challenges than others, but I love teaching. Malaguzzi, when talking about Reggio and all that is 'teaching and learning, suggests, 'nothing without joy', and I couldn't agree more. I love teaching, but I also love the academic side of educational research, the 'joy' of the findings, the 'excitement' of reading the passion behind the studies and again the 'joy' of putting it all together. 

I now find myself moving into this new space - the academic space, so excited yet wondering why does it have to be one or the other- why are they single cell organisms? Or are they? Is it one or the other?

The school world, the academic world and perhaps the 'third space' does this already exist? Universities, like ELC- 12 schools are incredible places to be, full of questions, new knowledge, new beginnings, extensive research, publications, research grants to find out more, policy and have a positive impact within many schools/ regions etc... I am looking forward to sharing knowledge and research to teachers and students beyond the silo of an individual school setting.  

The third space, to me, is one that is not a school and not a university, it is the space where the magic comes together- the synergy where the research/school/teachers/researchers/academics and most importantly the students come together. Not just occasionally either...Not just for new teachers... Teachers doing post graduate work,  but for all teachers...

Teaching children truly is the most incredible and amazing job anyone could ever do. If you are doing this 'Teaching' job really well, you are changing the world, you are having an impact and you are doing much more than imparting information of mere content. You are changing the lives of every child you teach, making them creative, collaborative, critical thinkers who have the mindset and resilience to take on anything, embrace mistakes, learn from mistakes and maximise potential their potential in every way. How lucky teachers are! 

I have been fortunate (and truly grateful) to have had some wonderful mentors, principals, students, teaching friends and colleagues who have taught me along the way. After completing my masters thesis this year with Professor John Hattie on the most effective types of discourse and questioning, it was impossible to stop asking the questions, stop wanting to find out the answers and share this with those within the most incredible field of education. It has made me think about John Hattie and his extensive and incredible journey of educational research and the incredible work that he has shared that I know has had an impact on teachers, students, policy makers here in Australia and Internationally. 

My questions about the 'third space' puzzle me though...... I would certainly love the thoughts of the many differing people with their own expertise on the Linkedin community. I wonder how it is possible to bring together two worlds on a more regular basis? Worlds where educational academia and the incredible research and findings that would indeed assist teachers and most importantly have impact on students are connecting all of the time, in all school contexts, in all socio-economic levels. How the links become stronger so that the academics can connect with the brilliance of the classroom teachers regularly and student voice be captured and actioned? How can all schools/teachers and students benefit from the work done by passionate researchers finding ways to maximise learning- all day- every day for every student??? 

I mean all of this in the most positive and proactive way, I know that many Universities including Melbourne are doing many wonderful projects within the school context- and many prinicipals including my own principal seeking to find and use the research, ideas and brilliance of academics and educational research to assist teachers, create a common language of learning and maximise the learning potential of every child, every moment (a wonderful catch cry thought of by a very clever teacher within my own school context-A.M) I'd love to know other ideas/thoughts/questions/provocations around the idea of the third space and how to make the next step. The one where all schools can benefit from the research, not just because of one or two people or leadership.... How can it filter effectively and efficiently into the classroom for all of the children we teach? 

In 2016, I will seek to find a way I can use the research that I am conducting and the findings to be used within the school context in a way that teachers can use everyday, to maximise their own teaching, their learning and assist all of their students with the exemplar learning occuring in their classrooms. Meanwhile, I too will be learning from others, taking in and learning from their research, their findings and learning how to be an educator in the academic world. I can't wait! 

Linkedin Community- Fellow Linkedinians, I'd love your thoughts! Please comment below, send me a message or email me: 

[email protected]

 Thanks, Sophie.