Fostering Instructional Excellence Through Collaborative Professional Development: A Dissertation By Chikezie Johnson
Abstract This dissertation examines the role of collaborative professional development (CPD) in enhancing instructional quality and promoting a culture of continuous improvement among educators. It argues that traditional, one-off professional development models are often ineffective and that a collaborative, sustained approach is more impactful. The study explores key components of effective CPD, including professional learning communities (PLCs) , peer coaching , and lesson study . Drawing on recent literature, the dissertation synthesizes how these models facilitate the co-creation of knowledge, foster a sense of collective responsibility, and directly translate into improved teaching practices. The findings suggest that by creating structured opportunities for educators to collaborate, schools can strengthen instructional quality, increase teacher efficacy, and ultimately, improve student outcomes. 1. Introduction The effectiveness of professional development for ed...