Part 2: Student Agency with Lisa Burman

In the second part of the podcast with Lisa Burman, the discussion centres on the concept of student agency and its direct link to teacher agency. Lisa emphasises that educators play a crucial role in shaping learning experiences, and how a teacher’s sense of agency directly affects students’ ability to take ownership of their learning.

Teacher Agency as the Foundation for Student Agency
Lisa reflects on her teaching career in the 1980s when teachers had more freedom to design learning experiences tailored to their students’ needs. She stresses that teachers should view students as individuals developing identities—as readers, writers, scientists, or mathematicians—rather than just teaching specific subjects. However, she notes that increased educational pressures today risk undermining this sense of agency.

The Bigger Picture: Education and Democracy
Lisa connects student and teacher agency with democratic values, referencing Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which affirms children’s right to have a say in matters that affect them. She argues that for true student agency to thrive, teachers must feel empowered to make instructional decisions. However, some educational systems restrict this freedom, hindering creativity and students' development of agency.

Agency and Wellbeing: Lessons from the Pandemic
The conversation turns to the impact of agency on wellbeing. Reflecting on the pandemic, Lisa points out how restrictions led to feelings of helplessness, similar to how students feel in rigid, formulaic teaching environments. Teachers play a key role in creating spaces where students feel their voices matter.

Leadership’s Role and Small Changes
Lisa encourages teachers to introduce small changes, even in controlled settings, and suggests taking a professional stance with leadership to promote student agency. By focusing on student interests and co-constructing classroom routines, teachers can foster a learning culture where students become engaged, purposeful learners.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

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