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| ASCD Special Report |
| September 25, 2007 |
ASCD SmartBrief Special Report:
Teachers as Leaders (Part I)
Many teachers are increasingly taking on new and varied leadership roles within their buildings and beyond. A new stress on curriculum under NCLB has many leading efforts to develop and meet new standards while other teachers aid stressed principals with reform and other in-house projects.
This two-part ASCD SmartBrief Special Report on Teachers as Leaders examines how educators can find new opportunities to lead, get the support and training they need as well as network with those with more experience. Part I focuses on best practices that can be used to delve into leadership with full support from administrators and other teachers. Ways for new leaders to find professional development and veteran educators to share their experiences are also explored. Part II, to be published on Thursday, explores research into teacher leadership as well as various perspectives on the issue.
Many leadership options available to teachers
Principals can't be experts in all subjects nor meet all the demands placed on their time, so experienced teachers are increasingly taking on new roles. Teachers are often seen as "custodians of the school culture" and can take on formal and informal leadership roles. Educational Leadership (9/2007) Educational Leadership (9/2007)
Teacher leaders may offer unique perspectives
Teacher leaders have abilities to collaborate with other teachers and pass on their enthusiasm about teaching. By relying on such a relational model, schools enable teachers to define their leadership roles based on their own assets and relationships. Educational Leadership (9/2007)
States beginning to recognize teacher leadership
A handful of U.S. states are beginning to certify teacher leaders to formally recognize their unique roles. Although some states see the optional certification as a path to school or district leadership roles, about 10 times as many educators are more interested in the teacher-leadership endorsement than principal certification, said Nathan M. Roberts, the director of University of Louisiana at Lafayette's graduate education studies, of enrollees there. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (5/4)
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Roundtable: How to become an education leader
It may be easier for teachers to start taking leadership positions outside their schools, say some members of the Teacher Leaders Network. "When I lead away from the school, I don't have to fight through people's territorial pride and protections ... to make a difference," one member says. Teacher Magazine (free registration) (7/24)
Tips for teachers: How to establish your place in a new school
New teachers should find allies, avoid complainers and speak their mind from the start, says veteran National Board-certified teacher David Cohen. When disagreeing with other educators, express respectful disagreement to build credibility and a reputation for professionalism. Teacher Magazine (free registration) (8/15)
Dallas uses coaches to help struggling teachers
More expert Dallas teachers are mentoring instructors to improve their lesson-planning and classroom-management skills as part of an effort to improve student achievement. "He improved on what I did, and then I improved on what he did," said math teacher Jesus Cardenas of his experience with one of the district's 115 instructional coaches. The Dallas Morning News (free registration) (5/28)
Pittsburgh turns curriculum over to district's teachers
Unhappy with an outside company's new curriculum, Pittsburgh school leaders are asking their own teachers to develop districtwide lesson plans with help from the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Learning. The first courses written by Kaplan, which the district had contracted with and was to pay $8.4 million, forced teachers to cover material too quickly without being rigorous enough, educators said. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (7/8)
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How to create successful teacher leaders
Potential teacher leaders are passionate about the subjects they teach, but may need school support to find appropriate training and leadership opportunities. Educational Leadership (9/2007)
Principals can help teachers take on new roles
Associate professor and former elementary school principal Eric Glover listened when his teachers raised concerns about plans for moving the school to a standards-based curriculum. School and district administrators can aid nascent teacher leadership by respecting educators' knowledge, working together to meet student needs and reflecting critically on their efforts. Educational Leadership (9/2007) Educational Leadership (9/2007)
Veteran teacher passes on knowledge, skill
As a curriculum-support educator, Barbara Desmangles-Simpson teaches her colleagues how to best meet their students' varying needs in the current school climate. "The days of teaching the whole class one lesson are over because we've got so many different skill levels," she explained. The Sacramento Bee (Calif.) (free registration) (9/14)
Teacher leadership increasingly required for future administrators
Teachers who want to become principals are increasingly entering school administration with more extensive in-school leadership training and experience than ever before. "The whole conversation about what people are looking for from school principals is much less the managerial stuff and much more the academic stuff," said Paul D. Houston, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (9/11)
ASCD leadership books, audio, videos and more
Internet teacher-leadership resources
Interested in taking on new leadership roles or just learning more? Check out these online resources:
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