Building Structures to Support Teacher Leadership Cathy Galland, Ed.D. Director, Southern Regional Professional Development Center

Why Are You Here?

Session Objectives Participants will understand the various definitions of teacher leadership. Participants will understand the importance of teacher leadership. Participants will understand the structural obstacles to effective teacher leadership. Participants will develop strategies to overcome these obstacles in their districts.

What is a Teacher Leader? A teacher leader is a teacher who is committed to improving professional learning opportunities for self and others (Wright, 2005), and is willing to “go public” by modeling, sharing and influencing others (Lieberman and Miller, 2005) as a part of his or her day-to-day work on behalf of children (Silva, Gimbert & Nolan, 2000).

Why do we need teacher leaders? “Teacher leadership appears to be inseparable from successful school reform.” (Crowther, Kaagan, Ferfuson & Hann, 2002, p. xix) “The notion that teaching will evolve into a leading profession depends on teacher leadership in schools” (Crowther, Kaagan, Ferfuson & Hann, 2002, p. 22).

Obstacles to Effective Teacher Leadership Human Relations Structure In my research, I chose to focus on structural obstacles. Structure can include both physical structure (building layout, etc) and organizational structure (policies, schedules, etc.)

Structure Although structural elements are often overlooked, they are vital to the success of school improvement! “Successful implementation of a major new strategy usually requires changes in the organization structure to make it consistent with the strategy” (Yukl (2006, p. 302).

Structural Obstacles Categories: Role Clarity Physical Structures Organizational Structures

Structural Obstacles Role Clarity Role ambiguity Role understanding Role conflict/tension “My role as a teacher leader has never been addressed w/ myself or the others in my building.” “Teachers in my own department understand my role; however, teachers in other departments resent my effectiveness.”

Structural Obstacles Physical Structure Building layout Space for collaboration Closed doors “Our grade level teacher’s classrooms are scattered throughout the building.” “We have ran out of room. Music is now on a cart. We have added modular buildings for 5th & 6th grades. We are also using storage areas for title classrooms.” “The teachers lounge during lunch is the only time we have for collaboration, but the teachers usually complain about their personal lives.”

Structural Obstacles Other Organizational Obstacles Time for collaboration Schedules Team structures “Team meetings are not regularly scheduled or checked on.” “We are a small school with one classroom of each grade.” “Too many 5th grade teachers cannot have the same plan time, so we are split up.” “Not enough collab time!!”

Research Findings – Good News & Bad News Bad News – my research did indicate there was a significant relationship between each of these structural elements and effective teacher leadership. Good News – some of these structural barriers can be easily removed.

Role Clarity Of the three categories, role clarity was found to be the most predictive structural element of teacher leader effectiveness. But, all the other elements were significant as well: physical layout, space for collaboration, scheduling, and team structures.

The Good News Role Clarity is the easiest to fix!!!! You don’t have to find space or time to fix this piece!!!!!!!

What role do teacher leaders play in your district? Is their role informal or formal? Is their role clearly defined? Is it included in school or district documents? Have these teacher leaders received training to help them fulfill this role?

Idea Sharing Role Clarity Physical Layout Space for Collaboration Scheduling Team Structures

Planning for Effective Teacher Leadership What can I do when I get home to help support teacher leadership? Planning Form Go back to the “Gallery of Ideas” as you complete. Additional ideas from my research.

Teacher Leadership Series Topics include: Structures necessary to support teacher leadership Role definitions Administrator support Creating time for collaboration Facilitating team meetings Building trust/relationships Working with adult learners Motivating reluctant teachers Problem solving for difficult situations Keeping yourself motivated

Questions????