1. Perceptions of Head Teachers & Principals: Views of Teacher Leaders’ Qualifications Canadian Society for the Study of Education Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration Ottawa, Ontario May 24, 2009 Susan R. Boes, University of West Georgia; Anne Halsall, University of Aberdeen

2. Pilot Study – early days! A small study to test the waters, so to speak Factors limiting the size of the study Changing places – shifting roles

3. Comparative Study on Teacher Leader Qualities Perceptions of 3 British Head Teachers Perceptions of 3 American School Principals Personal interviews Structure vs. Semi-structure

4. Participants English Head Teachers Infant school Elementary school Middle/junior level school 193-240 enrollment range US Principals All elementary level 265-377 enrollment range

5. Teacher Leaders Defined No clear definition “When teachers pull an oar for the entire school, they offer valuable assistance to the overworked and overwhelmed principal and to the school and itself” (Barth, 2001)

6. Teacher Leaders Defined “Credible teacher leaders can influence their colleagues to examine options and make decisions to try new practices. When teacher leaders participate in shaping and leading the change, there is less resistance” (Katzenmeyer & Moller, 2001)

7. Teacher Leaders Defined “ Responsibility involves an internal commitment to self-improvement, the improvement of others around us, and the school community at large” (Lambert,1998)... instructional leadership [is] a joint endeavour between teachers and principals with each taking on different but complementary aspects of the role (Lambert, 2002)

8. Interview Questions What skills do teachers, as teacher leaders, have that help you and the school? What characteristics do teachers have that make them good teacher leaders? What barriers do you see that might prevent teachers from being teacher leaders?

9. Categories Professional Cultures bring differing perspectives Self-identification vs Principal identification Themes established to make determinations Notes from interviews Discussions Independent raters

10. Skills Theme Good interpersonal skills Good communication skills Ability to manage people Makes others feel positive about themselves Organized Attendance to details

11. Characteristics Theme Teaching experience important Perceived Competence Initiative Positive attitude Sense of community within school Clear goals Being respected & respecting others Being professional

12. Barriers Theme Overzealous Unwilling to take responsibility Overloaded Unable to work with parents/peers Family commitments Not feeling qualified Lacking training Lack of: time confidence interpersonal skills leadership skills interest Time management skills Organization Powerlessness of others/Jealousy from peers [in US only]

13. Not anticipated... Surprisingly neither group mentioned high stakes testing when both groups would be strongly affected by the impact of negative results

14. Understandings Willingness to take on responsibility In UK incentive to lead is taken by teacher as opposed to being conferred by head teacher In US often incentive to determine leadership outcomes rest with principal rather than teacher Differing historical & professional cultures More control of education in US and only of late in England with National Curriculum, but less so now

15. Further Understandings Difference in View of Teacher Leader Qualities British ultimately see teachers with leadership skills aspiring to formal/traditional leadership positions deputy heads, head teachers, & senior management teams Principals seemed to view “cream of crop” as future administrators Others with leadership skills may not be groomed to traditional leadership roles Remain in classroom assume some role in promoting change Seem to filter into instructional lead teachers, curriculum coordinators, coaches & mentors

16. Where do we go from here ??? Extend the sample base to include other counties in England and Georgia? Expand the study to include Canada and Scotland? Continue the search for a workable definition for teacher leader What is your preferred definition? Suggestions please... any offers?