Essential Function 3: Unpacking Developing Teacher Leadership

UNPACKING DEVELOPING TEACHER LEADERSHIP

School cultures that support teacher leadership assure certain conditions are present to enable teacher leaders to flourish. The Teacher Leadership Skills Framework developed by the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP, 2018) outlines some of the important conditions and teacher characteristics necessary for building teacher leadership. 

Teacher Leadership Skills Framework (CSTP, 2018).

Click the link to review the complete Teacher Leadership Skills Framework.

Strong Teacher Leaders…

• Possess the knowledge and skills needed to lead
  • Work with adult learners
  • Have strong communication
  • Collaborate
  • Have strong content and pedagogy knowledge
  • Use systems thinking
  • Use an equity lens for decision making
• Have positive dispositions and attitudes
  • Value the work of all learners
  • Develop trust
  • Are energetic, reliable, yet willing to take risks to improve student learning
  • Practice empathy
  • Accept and act on constructive feedback

Next, read the article Building a School Culture that Supports Teacher Leadership (Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2015) for strategies on how to support the development of teacher leadership.

Reflection Questions

• What are characteristics of a school culture that supports teacher leadership?
• What are characteristics of school leaders that support teacher leadership?
• What additional ideas would you add to the list?

Questions for School Leaders

• Do I know the individual talents and interests of my staff?
• Do I notice and appreciate informal leadership roles?
• Am I open to new ideas and different viewpoints?
• Am I clear about where and how teachers can have input?
• Do I truly value help and support from others, or do I feel threatened?
• Do I use collaborative decision making that allows teachers to have a role in school decisions?

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Teacher Leadership in Practice

The video Collective Efficacy Training Interview ( Raytown Schools, 2018) is an interview with a Raytown, Missouri teacher who sees CTE growing in her school. She highlights the benefits of having structures in place to promote observation, collaboration, and the building of teacher leadership.

Collective Efficacy Training Interview (3:20 min)

Reflection Questions

• How do structures in this school, such as walkthroughs and peer observations, help to build staff cohesiveness?
• How does providing opportunities for teachers to showcase their instructional strengths develop teacher leadership?

As part of the Teacher Leadership Skills Framework, the CSTP (2018) developed a tool for developing system capacity for teacher leadership that can be used as a self-assessment at both the building and/or district levels. The tool is designed to help school leaders determine system-level readiness to utilize the expertise of teacher leaders and support their work. Review the checklist Establishing a Supportive Environment (CSTP, 2010) to identify indicators of readiness.  

Teachers themselves can support and advocate for leadership experiences. Teachers who are committed to the success of all students are more likely to be viewed as leaders by others.  Teachers can take the lead in grade level team meetings to discuss data and effective teaching practices; organize and host professional book studies with colleagues; open their classroom doors to others; form partnerships with community groups; and/or step forward to present solutions to challenging problems. 

Teacher Leadership that builds CTE, looks like…

Teacher Leaders having

• meaningful participation in leadership meetings and tasks;
• involvement in the selection and professional development of curriculum;
• engagement in peer coaching;
• collaborative implementation of new programs school-wide;
• involvement with and encouragement of parent participation;
• participation in professional organizations; and/or
• partnerships with colleges and universities to prepare future teachers.

Reflection Questions

• What leadership opportunities currently exist for teachers in your school/district?
• How might your school enhance teachers’ skills, competencies, and conditions in order to develop greater capacity for teacher leadership?
• Why is it important to have a school culture that supports teacher leadership?  What can be done to create such a culture?
• What challenges does your school face when working to build teacher leadership? How can these challenges be overcome?
• What specific steps can your school leaders take to support teacher leadership?