Introduction

The standards for teachers of English language and literacy in Australia were developed by the Australian literacy educators association and the Australian association for there teaching of English. The STELLA materials include standards statements, narratives and keywords and questions linked to specific standards. The ALEA STELLA professional learning project was set up to explore ways of using STELLA as a framework for teachers professional learning. In 2005 the project gave teachers in three Australian states an opportunity to work with a mentor to explore the STELLA professional standards, to develop their own professional learning, and to share their stories with other professional. The teachers stories in this collection are based in classroom contexts and tell about a variety of professional learning experiences that led to improved classroom outcomes.