Teachers as Instructional Leaders and How District Staff Can Support Them

Date: June 2, 2017
Location: Webinar

Teacher leadership is widely understood to not only improve classroom practices by promoting peer-led professional development, but to also create positive teaching climates and increase educator retention. Research suggests that one way that districts can increase their capacity to support teacher leaders is through partnerships with outside organizations that can provide guidance, content expertise, and other resources that foster teacher leadership.

REL West and the Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning hosted a webinar to engage in a conversation about the research that demonstrates what can work to bolster districts’ ability to support teacher leadership through effective partnerships. Presenters highlighted what they've learned using these evidence-based practices through their work with nearly 1,000 teachers and thirteen Teacher Practice Network member organizations. The conversation explored the conditions necessary to cultivate teacher leadership that promotes and improves standards-aligned teaching. This highly interactive online learning event included participant-led discussion on existing configurations for teacher leadership and how districts and outside organizations can work together effectively.

As a result of their participation, webinar attendees:

• Considered how districts can use research to foster conditions that enable teacher leadership;
• Examined different ways that teacher instructional leadership can manifest in schools and districts; and
• Engaged in a discussion about participants’ needs/concerns on how to best support teacher leaders.

Audience

School district leaders–specifically chief academic officers–heads of curriculum and instruction, and heads of teaching and learning; those who support teacher professional learning and may have a role in facilitating partnerships with organizations outside of the district who can provide capacity to support teacher development.