This qualitative action research project examined preservice teachers' conceptions of teacher leadership. Through an analysis of preservice teachers' writings in a graduate-level teacher leadership course, students' beliefs about the power of teacher leaders emerged. Findings revealed that novice teachers most often identified the scope of…

According to the author, for any change to occur in language arts, it must originate from a classroom need and have the support of "teacher leaders" who are able to carry it forward. Learning environments would cease to exist without a teacher leading the learning. The essence of the profession is leadership, yet many teachers do not see…

Education reform and improvement in K-12 public education continues to be a national priority. Research within the past half century has brought to the forefront the brutal truth that American public education needs improvement (Tyack & Cuban, 1995). The call for improvement includes the need for teachers to emerge from silence and isolation…

The principal's role is increasingly understood as a critical lever for school improvement. Yet the job can be a solitary one, offering few opportunities to reflect with colleagues. What does it take to manage the work of continuous improvement--to push staff members constantly to operate outside their comfort zones? What dilemmas and challenges…

In the current review, we examined teacher leadership research completed since York-Barr and Duke published the seminal review on teacher leadership in 2004. The review was undertaken to examine how teacher leadership is defined, how teacher leaders are prepared, their impact, and those factors that facilitate or inhibit teacher leaders' work.…

Teaching as a legitimate profession where teachers could practice their leadership agency as leaders has been under debate over the last two decades. The support for teachers' inclusion in the development of schools as well as their leadership is numerous and varies. There seems to be a few when it comes to teacher leadership in the Saudi context.…

In this paper, Leading Educators and the Aspen Institute propose a roadmap to empower teachers to lead from the front of the classroom. This paper outlines key phases that system administrators will need to consider as they build teacher leadership systems that address their highest priorities. For each phase, the Aspen Institute offers a…

As inequities continue to be present for students of color, for English-language learners, for students from low-income households, for LGBTQ students and for students with disabilities, schools must find ways to increase achievement and high expectations for all students. Although not explored thoroughly in the research literature, teacher…