Teaching with Clarity: Six Capabilities to Maximise Impact
A practical, research-informed framework to help teachers and school leaders strengthen learning and progress for every student.
Expected publication: April 2027
Creating the conditions for every learner to thrive
Imagine a classroom where every learner knows what they are learning, understands why it matters, and believes they can succeed.
Teaching with Clarity explores how teachers and school leaders can deliberately create these conditions through their everyday decisions.
At the heart of the book is a framework of six interconnected capabilities that support responsive, equitable, and inclusive learning environments.
Grounded in research and supported by practical strategies, examples, and reflective questions, the book helps educators think deeply about their practice, act with intention, and continually improve learning outcomes.
What will you discover in Teaching with Clarity?
The book explores six interconnected capabilities that help teachers and leaders strengthen their practice and support meaningful progress for every learner.
Building learning-focused relationships – creating trust, respect, and shared responsibility for learning.
Building an inclusive learning culture – recognising learner identity, maintaining high expectations, and removing barriers to participation.
Providing clarity about what's important to learn – helping students understand their learning, recognise quality, and take ownership of their progress.
Promoting deep learning – supporting students to build understanding, make connections, and apply their learning.
Using assessment information to inform progress – drawing on evidence to make better decisions about teaching and learning.
Engaging in reflection and inquiry – examining practice, responding to evidence, and continually improving.
The book also explores how school leaders can create the conditions for teachers to learn and improve together.
Through research, practical strategies, and reflective questions, Teaching with Clarity provides a framework for individual and collaborative professional learning.
Teaching with Clarity is expected to be published in April 2027.
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About the authors
Michael Absolum, Mary Chamberlain, and Jane Nicholls bring extensive experience in teaching, learning, assessment, and educational improvement.
Michael Absolum ONZM
Michael Absolum is the founder and director of Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga and a recognised thought leader in assessment for learning. He is the author of Clarity in the Classroom and has extensive experience supporting schools and education systems to strengthen teaching, leadership, and learner achievement. His work focuses on helping teachers make informed decisions that enable students to become confident, engaged, and successful learners.
Mary Chamberlain MNZM
Mary Chamberlain is a director of Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga and one of New Zealand's leading education thinkers. With extensive expertise in curriculum, teaching, and education system design, she has contributed to national and international education initiatives. Mary is passionate about equitable outcomes and creating the conditions for high-quality teaching and meaningful learning for every student.
Jane Nicholls
Jane Nicholls is the Education Director – Education Resources | Strategic Initiatives at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga. A former teacher and school leader, she has extensive experience in curriculum, professional learning, and educational resource development. Her work draws on Universal Design for Learning principles to create engaging, culturally responsive, and inclusive learning resources that support effective teaching and meaningful learning.
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Expected publication: April 2027