This is the third special issue of "Primary Science," and it is one that offers primary school teachers an insight into an initiative that does wonders for primary science leadership, learning, and teaching -- the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM). In this article, Claire Burchell explains how the PSQM enabled her to make the…

A coalition of districts and schools serving high-need students in Louisiana are partnering with the nonprofit National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to increase equitable access to effective educators for students in high-poverty schools. Through a five-year 2016 federal Teacher Incentive Fund grant, called the LA BOLD (Building On…

This article shows how City-As-School, a progressive public school in New York City, used descriptive inquiry to deepen shared decision making, which is a central value of the school and part of a democratic way of life. Descriptive inquiry is a democratic knowledge-making process that was developed at the Prospect School in North Bennington,…

There has been an increased frequency of leadership courses being taught online. Scant research exists that describes effective practices for teaching leadership online. This application brief describes an assignment, the "Real Life Leader in the Mirror" given to undergraduate students in an online personal leadership course as an end of…

In this chapter, the challenges and controversies of faculty advising are addressed in a panel-discussion format, from the various lenses of academic leadership, faculty, and faculty development. The panel discusses issues of workload, promotion and tenure, and accountability related to academic advising roles and responsibilities.

How can teachers move from working in isolation within ineffective systems to building thriving, collaborative teaching environments in which they are supported and inspired to work with their colleagues in communities focused on mutual professional growth? In the authors' work as early learning instructional coaches, they have witnessed the ways…

This paper presents recommendations for faculty mentors interested in conducting a study abroad program in the social sciences. The recommendations discussed in this paper aim to support faculty in pre-departure planning, during the study abroad experience, and after the study abroad experience concludes. The strategies presented in this paper aim…

Practitioner inquiry is an alternative form of professional learning that can result in significant changes in teacher practice and student learning. We share our evolution as teacher learners within our classrooms and teacher leaders within our school as we progressed through 10 years of continuous cycles of practitioner inquiry. Beginning as…

When Superintendent Dennis Vespe came to Somerdale Park School District, he was very interested in strengthening teachers' capacity to track student growth and progress. To do this, he knew the district needed to enhance its "ability to accurately assess and accurately drive instruction." But years of experience had taught him that new…

The heightened level of attention being afforded to "teacher leadership" is palpable in the United States. At a national level, proprietary organizations are receiving funds from large philanthropic organizations (e.g., the Gates and the Wallace Foundations) to promote the development of teacher leaders. State departments of education…

Through a university-rural school partnership, principals and teacher leaders were coached by a university professor to improve teacher optimism and collaboration. The approach benefited teacher and student outcomes and school culture.

An estimated 17% to 30% of new teachers in the U.S. leave the profession within their first 5 years of teaching. Some challenges that prompt new teachers to leave the field include stress, lack of appropriate support, and feeling unprepared to handle behavioral and academic issues among their students. Research supports the finding that teachers…

In the evolving global stage, educators are continuously challenged to keep up with the changing expectations and unknown future needs of their students. Educators must engage in professional development and growth through numerous practices, including the pursuit of graduate studies in higher education institutions. Their curiosity, love,…

As today's K-12 schools become increasingly diverse, many teachers are struggling to meet the needs of English language learners and teach them in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner. The authors provide a pair of examples to illustrate specific ways teacher leaders can be effective advocates for better instruction and services for…

As this series on teacher leadership continues, this "CenterView" issue reports on survey findings about the role of teacher leaders and the impact of teacher-to-teacher professional learning on the professional growth of both teacher leaders and the teachers they support. The report also offers specific strategies for school…