When I hear the term teacher leader, what do I think? I think of someone who sets an example at their school, either by implementing new classroom techniques or keeping up to date. It is important for teachers to take the lead because in a sense they already are leaders, whether they want to be or not. They lead young students in shaping their minds and preparing them for the future. To this end, teachers need to take a stand and advocate for their students. By advocate, I do not mean just go forth and try to get funding, but it is important for teachers to also stay on top of things, whether that means attending conferences or getting recertified. There are many roles for the teacher to play:
• choosing textbooks and instructional materials;
• shaping the curriculum;
• setting standards for student behavior;
• deciding whether students are tracked into special classes;
• designing staff development and in-service programs;
• setting promotion and retention policies;
• deciding school budgets;
• evaluating teacher performance;
• selecting new teachers; and
• selecting new administrators.
We must also realize that just because we went through a teaching program, we are not all automatically teacher leaders. It takes more work than that. This article provides a great explanation of what it means to be a teacher leader and what can be done to achieve this goal. It definitely gave me something to think about. It also talks about teacher leadership in all its aspects.
Teacher Leader Network brings together teacher leaders from across the country. It helps them hold conversations and discuss ideas for improving their leadership. As the website says, it is responsible for:
Engaging in daily discussions around practice and policy,
Collaborating on action research and other projects for improved student learning,
Sharing their content and pedagogical expertise with pre-service and in-service teachers, and
Refining their policy insights and contributing their voices to the decisions that affect the students and communities they serve
all great ways to encourage teacher leadership. Do I plan to be a teacher leader? I would like to. It is important to keep up on the latest techniques if you want to provide students with the best advantages life has to offer. It is important to attend conferences and continuing education classes, whatever it takes.
So, here is my question to you, one more of curiosity . . . what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of teacher leadership? Why?
Teacher leadership means a teacher who goes far and beyond to instill the principals of a good education. Teachers who are active in the decisions making of policies or programs for their students, school, and/or curriculum. Teachers who are involve in making the educational experience better in terms of productive teaching and learning. Basically, a teacher who is doing all she or he can to make the curriculum better and more effective.
ReplyDeleteWhen i think of teacher leadership, I always think of an educator who goes above and beyond the call of duty. They truly care about what they are teaching and who they are teaching. Their leadership role doesn't end as soon as the last bell for the day rings. There is more to the leadership role. It's not difficult to locate the leaders, the exude the quality of excellence. I think we all are aware if we've ever had the pleasure of meeting a true teacher leader.
ReplyDeleteI think of Coach Carter, even though he wasn't a teacher but rather a coach. He sacrificed the standard perception of a win-at-all-costs coach to ensure that his players were as good academically as they were athletically. He spent sufficient time during his whole day for the well-being of his players.
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