Are you a working teacher looking to advance your career — but you love interacting directly with students? Many educators have faced this challenge; there is little room for upward mobility in a career where the only way to advance has traditionally been to become an administrator. Although administrative work may appeal to some educators, many teachers entered the field due to a passion for working directly with students.
In recent years, many educators have begun considering teacher leadership to climb the ladder while still interacting with students. To meet the needs of this growing trend, Lamar University offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Leadership online — an intensive graduate degree program with the convenience and flexibility of distance learning. This allows candidates to earn a master’s degree in education and immediately apply the new knowledge and skills to their current jobs.
What Is Teacher Leadership?
The Glossary of Education Reform defines teacher leaders as “teachers who have taken on leadership roles and additional professional responsibilities.” They go on to say that, “while the term teacher leader is commonly used across the country, educators frequently create unique, homegrown vocabularies and titles when referring to these positions in their school.” The concept of teacher leadership is constantly evolving in both specialized and generalized leadership positions specific to particular schools’ needs.
Roles of Teacher Leaders
Accordingly, teacher leaders are filling specific positions like curricular development specialist, data-use specialist, instructional coach and teacher mentor — both formally and informally. Their roles may also be broader, and they may develop organically to facilitate collaboration between students, teachers, administrators and parents.
In any given leadership role, the teacher leader acts as an agent of change, advocating school improvement through professional development, intelligent curriculum design and data-based decision-making — as well as community outreach, engagement and positive networking.
What Types of Knowledge and Skills Are Unique to Teacher Leadership?
A good teacher leader shares many traits with strong teachers, though there are some necessary skill-sets and knowledge-bases unique to teacher leaders. A breadth of knowledge on current research in education, educational pedagogy, innovative instructional techniques, studies of effective education across cultural backgrounds, and the integration of modern adaptive technologies into the classroom are just a few examples. Well-developed communication and mentorship skills are also integral to educational leadership.
Why Pursue a Degree in Teacher Leadership?
Familiarity with student bodies, teachers and communities is crucial to teacher leadership. As such, teachers may be well-suited for leadership positions in their schools, but they may need to develop the skills unique to leadership. Whether you are moving up in the ranks of your school or applying for positions elsewhere, an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership can set you ahead of the competition with new perspectives, innovative methodologies and other aspects of educational leadership.
How Does Lamar Prepare Effective Teacher Leaders?
To develop effective teacher leaders, Lamar University’s graduate program covers an array of advanced topics. Coursework in this degree program covers the following:
-
- Research/Current Issues in Education.
-
- School Community Relations.
-
- Schools as Learning Communities.
-
- School Law.
-
- Diverse Learners.
-
- Using Assessment Data to Guide instructional Decisions.
-
- Student Expectations and Motivations.
-
- Practicing Teacher Leadership.
-
- Modification of Curriculum and Instruction for the Atypical Learner.
-
- Cognition and Instruction.
-
- Public School Curriculum.
-
- Creative Instructional Strategies.
Degree candidates study scientific, research-based methodologies for improving schools on many levels, as well as the practical application of these methodologies for a school’s professional development and classroom instruction. The teacher leader is responsible for finding areas in need of improvement by observing teachers and administrators, giving and receiving feedback from staff and students, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data — including standardized and school-specific assessments and evaluations.
In addition to the review and implementation improvement models, an important aspect of Lamar University’s Teacher Leadership program is the development of positive learning communities. This involves fostering collaboration between teachers, administrators, parents and communities to improve learning.
For those who wish to pursue roles in particular areas, Lamar University offers specializations in the following areas:
-
- Autism.
-
- Special Education.
Pursuing an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership can help you develop the breadth of knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective teacher leader.
Learn more about the Lamar University online M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program.
Sources:
ASCD: Ten Roles for Teacher Leaders
Edutopia: Becoming a Teacher Leader
ASCD: The Many Faces of Leadership
The Glossary of Education Reform: Teacher-Leader
