This volume by Basile, Maddin, and Audrain expresses salient points regarding the current state of education and the need for change. Educational psychologist David Berliner and other experts have stressed the dire crisis of teacher recruitment, training, and retention. Too many school districts in the US understand this dilemma firsthand. The authors provide a new approach to reconfigure workforces, such that success exists for students and adults alike. Students can have deeper, more personalized learning. Educational leaders can use a more flexible approach to mentor professional teachers, community educators, and paraprofessionals. The authors provide examples to illustrate their approach and recognize that this is not a one-size-fits-all model. Districts will and can choose how they shape their professional teams; however, change is required, and soon, if the education system is going to meet students’ and teachers’ needs. Recommended. General readers, faculty, and professionals.

Choice Reviews

There are few, if any, contemporary “industries” that have changed as little as education. While many leaders propose many siloed “remedies” to improve schools and learning, no one has addressed the fact that our contemporary education system is still rooted in the 18th century, one teacher-one classroom model. The Next Education Workforce: How Team-Based Staffing Models Can Support Equity and Improve Learning Outcomes asks that we abandon antiquated ways of educating and embrace a new vision of education for all—team-based, learner-centric, community-focused, and workforce ready. Our 21st century students and their educators eager to embrace new models of teaching and learning deserve an educational approach for the future—not one stuck in the past.

Lynn M. Gangone, EdD, president and CEO, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

If you think schools can’t look different from when you were a kid, think again. Carole G. Basile, Brent W. Maddin, and R. Lennon Audrain shine a light on one of the most important movements in education today: redesigning schools to be great places to work and great places to learn.

Bryan C. Hassel PhD, co-president, Opportunity Culture Initiative

The Next Education Workforce is a brilliant, timely, and evidence-based guide to how K-12 and university educators can think differently about organizing people and time in our nation’s schools. Kudos to Basile, Maddin, and Audrain for plowing new ground to address teacher shortages and the needs to transform teaching and learning—and schooling—for today and tomorrow. Our students deserve no less.

Barnett Berry, research professor and senior director for policy and innovation, College of Education, University of South Carolina

Educators transform lives daily. Teams of educators can provide greater equity and access, impacting generations of learners. The Next Education Workforce provides educator teams with the vision, research, and strategies to support robust learning opportunities and connections for all they serve.

Virgel Hammonds, Chief Learning Officer, KnowledgeWorks