Teacher Leadership: Module 1

What is your general definition of teacher leadership?

My definition of teacher leadership is a teacher who is willing to take charge when they see an opportunity to improve their school and improve student learning.  They are the ones who are not afraid to voice their ideas for change and implement a plan for the change.  They recruit and motivate colleagues to join their efforts.  They are passionate and driven to create the best learning environment possible.

What examples of teacher leadership have you observed or experienced?

During my student teaching last semester I saw many examples of teacher leadership at my host school.  The third grade team teacher had multiple leadership roles; she organized and ran the team meetings each week and also served as the liaison for student teachers.  During my time there, she was very helpful to me.  She gave me guidance, feedback, and support.  The teachers were always sharing resources; one teacher even set up a third grade wiki, where all the third grade teachers shared resources and lesson plans that they found beneficial.  They also frequently co taught lessons to get feedback from each other.  During my kindergarten placement, my host teacher served as a mentor for a brand new kindergarten teacher; she observed and met with her once a week to discuss how she was doing.

How is leadership for meaningful technology integration different from other kinds of leadership?

First, the teacher leader would have to have a broad knowledge of technology and how to implement technology into the curriculum.  Some teachers struggle with technology, especially those who lack the experience with it, so the teacher leader would also have to be able to explain and demonstrate this technology integration in a way that would reach the other teachers.  Second, the schools would have to have the technology available in order to integrate into the classroom.

 From your perspective, what are the benefits and the challenges of teacher leadership for technology (for teachers, for students, for schools, for the profession)?

I believe the benefits for teacher leadership for technology is that these teachers will create a curriculum that is relevant in our society and will prepare students for their future.  Technology is everywhere, and that is only going to increase.  It is something very valuable for students to learn so that they will be successful in college, the job market, and in everyday life. 

I believe the biggest challenge would involve money.  Technology is very expensive and not all schools can afford it.  For example, when I was student teaching my host school has a great technology program.  The students had access to laptops, IPods, and IPads; and these tools were used to enhance student learning.  They were able to create multimedia projects, use apps for learning, and much more.  However, since I have been substitute teaching I have been in schools where the only technology they have is outdated models of computers that don’t work a lot of the time.   This is a challenge because we want students at every school to have the same opportunities.