Teacher Leader KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Teacher Leader KnowledgeBase aims to raise awareness of the teacher leader role at the district level and to support teachers aspiring to the teacher leader role through master's degree-level university programs.

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

    •   Task 1: Learn About Various Approaches/Models to Teacher Leadership
   •   Task 2: Identify the Teacher Leader Role
   •   Task 3: Contrast Teacher Leader and School Leadership Roles

Activity 2: Study Organizational Dynamics

• Task 1: Understand Impact of Organizational Climate
• Task 2: Explore Leadership Styles and Skills

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and are intended for general reference purposes only. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Some resources on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This website archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

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

• Task 1: Aspire to be a Teacher Leader
• Task 2: Assess Personal Leadership Capacity

Activity 2: Learn About Teacher Leader Education Programs

• Task 1: Be Aware of Standards and Certification/Licensure Guidelines
• Task 2: Identify 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

• Task 1: Identify and Define Teacher Leader Roles within District

Activity 2: Learn About Teacher Leader Education Programs

• Task 1: Be Aware of Standards and Certification/Licensure Guidelines
• Task 2: Identify 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

    •   Task 1: Apply Strategies of Adult Learning
   •   Task 2: Enhance Observational Skills
   •   Task 3: Design and Deliver Professional Learning Experiences

Activity 2: Support Collaboration and Instructional Strategies

    •   Task 1: Enhance Interactions with Families and Other Stakeholders
   •   Task 2: Understand and Support Research-Based Instructional Strategies
   •   Task 3: Support Collaborative Teams and Collegial Interactions
   •   Task 4: Use Data to Support and Facilitate Effective Instructional Strategies
   •   Task 5: Enhance Individual and Group Decision-Making

Activity 3: Advocate for Professional Learning

    •   Task 1: Create/Obtain/Identify Time to Participate in Professional Learning Opportunities
   •   Task 2: Identify Financial Resources for Professional Learning
   •   Task 3: Identify Non-financial Resources 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

    •   Task 1: Identify Areas for Professional Growth
   •   Task 2: Set Goals for Individual Professional Growth
   •   Task 3: Identify Resources for Professional Growth
   •   Task 4: Monitor Individual Professional Growth