A teacher leader is an educator at a school or within a district who has taken on leadership roles and additional responsibilities. Teacher leader roles vary according to school and district, but these roles also have many things in common. An Master of Education in Teacher Leadership degree can help prepare an educator to take on many of the teacher leader roles, such as curriculum design, decision-making within the school or district, implementing research-based teaching methods and strategies, conducting learning assessments and effectively managing the classroom.
Leadership roles within the school campus
Teachers have abundant opportunities to grow as teacher leaders within their own school campus. Teacher leader roles within a school can include providing instructional resources to other teachers or helping colleagues learn and use effective teaching strategies and methods. A teacher leader might seek a master’s degree for teachers in order to become a curriculum specialist who plans and implements consistent curriculum throughout the entire school. Experienced teachers can also lead by becoming mentors for new teachers at their school or by providing observation and feedback within the classroom. Schools also need teacher leaders who can lead the way in using technology in the classroom and can assist other teachers to use technology in teaching.
Leadership roles within the school district
Teacher leader roles are also found at the district level. A teacher leader might serve on a district leadership team, governance committee or task force. These teacher leaders might also coordinate professional learning communities where teachers throughout the district can learn from one another and improve their teaching skills. Teacher leaders may conduct research and deliver it through reports or presentations at the district, state or national level. They may also act as a liaison to parents or the community by speaking or making presentations at community meetings. Some teacher leaders might assist the district by writing grant proposals for school or district programs.
Schools and school districts have greater need than ever for well-qualified and highly educated teacher leaders. Teacher leader roles require a variety of special skills and talents, including mentoring, advocacy, group coordination, writing, and research, among many others. A master’s degree for teachers is an excellent way to prepare for taking on leadership roles within the school campus or school district. The coursework and field experience gained from a Master of Education program will help provide many of the skills and knowledge required to take on teacher leadership roles.
Learn more about Lamar University’s M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership online.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-slade/what-is-a-teacher-leader-_b_6417146.html
http://edglossary.org/teacher-leader/
