The importance of a learning culture for teacher motivation

There is an ever-increasing focus on teacher learning. Teacher learning aims to improve teacher practice, which has an impact on student outcomes. It is therefore clear that if we want our students to be as successful as possible, we need our teachers, through their own learning, to be as successful as possible too. For this, a culture of learning is vital; ‘culture is the make or break of professional learning’ (Weston and Clay, 2018, p. 65). Kraft and Papay (2014) highlight the impact of professional environments and culture in schools on teacher effectiveness, commenting on the importance of ‘transforming schools into organisations that support the learning of both students and teachers’ (p. 31). What this vital learning culture looks like is of great importance. Weston and Clay (2018) refer to a work culture that supports learning as being one where teachers ‘feel that learning is exciting and engaging’ and ‘feel a sense of belonging, that they are trusted, nurture