Element 1: Understand the Teacher Leader Concept
Purpose: A brief from the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality on the role of teacher leadership in education innovation states, "Teacher leadership is the process by which teachers, individually or collectively, formally influence their colleagues, principals, and other members of the school community to improve teaching and learning practices with the goal of increased student learning and achievement." There are different forms of teacher leader roles including "teacher leader," "master teacher," "peer mentor," or "academic coach." Element 1 provides overview information on the approaches to and models of teacher leadership.
Activity 1: Be Aware of Teacher Leader Approaches and Models
Activity 2: Study Organizational Dynamics
Element 2: Prepare to Be a Teacher Leader
Purpose: A teacher aspiring to be a "teacher leader," "master teacher," "peer mentor" or "academic coach" should first investigate the nature of such role, how the role might fit with his or her abilities, and identify the associated educational and certification/licensure requirements of each role. Element 2 provides information to assist a teacher in preparing for a teacher leader role.
Activity 1: Explore Teacher Leader Role
Activity 2: Learn About Teacher Leader Education Programs
Element 3: Recruit Teacher Leaders
Purpose: To recruit teacher leaders effectively, a district needs to have a plan of action. The plan should identify the teacher leader role within the district, define the prerequisites for the role, and reflect applicable state standards or certification or licensure guidelines and an awareness of educational programs providing course work associated with the teacher leader role. Element 3 provides resources to assist the district in developing such a plan.
Activity 1: Determine Teacher Leader Roles
Activity 2: Learn About Teacher Leader Education Programs
Element 4: Act as a Teacher Leader
Purpose: A teacher in a peer leadership role helps colleagues improve their professional practice, supports collaboration and instructional strategies, and encourages professional learning. Fulfilling these roles successfully is the essence of teacher leadership. Element 4 provides resources to assist in becoming an effective teacher leader.
Activity 1: Act as a Peer Mentor/Coach to Improve Professional Practice of Colleagues
Activity 2: Support Collaboration and Instructional Strategies
Activity 3: Advocate for Professional Learning
Element 5: Improve as a Teacher Leader
Purpose: Teachers in leadership roles must attend to their own continuing professional learning to enhance their abilities to support colleagues to improve their instructional capabilities. Teacher leaders could have a dual teaching role, one with their students and the other with their peers. Element 5 provides resources to assist teacher leaders in addressing their professional learning.
Activity 1: Develop Individual Professional Learning Plan
