STEP Educator Professional Library

The development of the Surgical Technology Educators Program (STEP) is grounded in interdisciplinary research spanning educational leadership, learning theory, instructional design, and healthcare education. The following reading list represents the scholarly works, professional literature, and thought leadership that informed the conceptualization and development of this initiative.

Together, these resources support the belief that effective educators require intentional preparation, mentorship, and leadership development in order to create sustainable learning environments that ultimately improve student outcomes and patient care.

Recommended Professional Reading List

Educational Leadership and Organizational Change

These works provide foundational insight into leading change within organizations, building sustainable systems, and developing leadership capacity among educators.

Fullan, M. (2016). The new meaning of educational change (5th ed.). Teachers College Press.
Heifetz, R., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M. (2009). The practice of adaptive leadership: Tools and tactics for changing your organization and the world. Harvard Business Press.
Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading change. Harvard Business Review Press.
Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Portfolio.
Friedman, E. H. (2007). A failure of nerve: Leadership in the age of the quick fix. Church Publishing.
Wagner, T. (2012). Creating innovators: The making of young people who will change the world. Scribner.

Learning Theory and Instructional Design

These works inform the design of meaningful learning experiences and emphasize the importance of student-centered environments.

Fink, L. D. (2013). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to designing college courses (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design (Expanded 2nd ed.). ASCD.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
Brown, J. S., & Thomas, D. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change. CreateSpace.
Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. National Academy Press.

Digital Learning and Innovation in Education

The STEP initiative emphasizes flexible and accessible professional development opportunities. The following works support the integration of digital learning environments and innovation in educational practice.

Bates, A. W. (2019). Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning (2nd ed.). Tony Bates Associates.
Horn, M. B., & Staker, H. (2015). Blended: Using disruptive innovation to improve schools. Jossey-Bass.
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age.
Rheingold, H. (2012). Net smart: How to thrive online. MIT Press.

Professional Identity and Educator Development

A key problem addressed by STEP is that healthcare professionals often transition into teaching roles without formal preparation in education. These works emphasize the importance of professional identity development and reflective practice.

Brookfield, S. D. (2017). Becoming a critically reflective teacher (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Palmer, P. J. (2007). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher's life (10th anniversary ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Bain, K. (2004). What the best college teachers do. Harvard University Press.

Healthcare Education and Surgical Technology

These resources support the professional context of surgical technology education and the preparation of competent allied health professionals.

Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). (Latest edition). Core curriculum for surgical technology. Association of Surgical Technologists.
Health Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). (Latest edition). Sterile processing technical manual.
NBSTSA. (Current edition). Certified Surgical Technologist examination content outline.
ARC/STSA. Accreditation standards and guidelines for surgical technology programs.

Professional Development and Lifelong Learning

The STEP initiative promotes continuous professional growth among surgical technology educators.

Mezirow, J. (1997). Transformative learning: Theory to practice.
Schon, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.
Kolb, D. A. (2015). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Summary

The STEP initiative is built upon a diverse body of research that spans leadership, instructional design, professional development, and healthcare education. These works collectively reinforce the central premise of the initiative:

Strong educational programs depend on strong educators.
By intentionally preparing surgical technology educators for their roles as teachers, mentors, and leaders, the profession can strengthen educational outcomes, improve workforce readiness, and ultimately enhance patient care.

Surgical Technology Educators Program - S.T.E.P.