Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities

Directions: For each element, rate yourself in one of the following three categories. Then provide examples of your experiences in the
leadership domain. Finally, identify areas within each domain where you are interested in growing as a teacher leader. On the last page,
summarize your strengths and areas of possible growth. Boxes will expand as needed.
● Exploring/Emerging (E/E) ​- a level of practice in which the teacher leader relies on ongoing assistance from more experienced
colleagues for support, guidance, and survival. The teacher leader is moving toward becoming more self-directed and independent in
her/his practice. ​
● Applying​ ​(A)​ - a level of practice in which the teacher leader is able to provide independent leadership and easily applies what s/he
has learned about leadership.
● Integrating/Innovating (I/I) ​- a level of development in which the teacher leader is fully skilled and confident. The
Integrating/Innovating teacher leader contributing to the broader educational community through staff development, research, or
publication in professional journals. ​

Domain 1: Fosters a Collaborative Culture to Support Educator Development and Student Learning E/E A I/I
a) Utilizes group processes to help colleagues work collaboratively to solve problems, make decisions, X
manage conflict, and promote meaningful change.
b) Models effective skills in listening, presenting ideas, leading discussions, clarifying, mediating, and X
identifying the needs of self and others in order to advance shared goals and professional learning.
c) Employs facilitation skills to create trust among colleagues, develop collective wisdom, build ownership X
and action that supports student learning.
d) Strives to create an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed in addressing challenges. X

e) Uses knowledge and understanding of different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and languages to
promote effective interactions among colleagues.
Three Examples of Domain 1 Experiences
1a: There are times when the upper grade teachers
collaborate about ideas, solving problems, and making
decisions. They have come to me asking for my input about
what I thought about our special schedules, ideas for our
Friday assemblies, and other things.
1b: I listen well and understand what is being discussed, but
am still a new teacher trying to learn all I can from more
experienced teachers.
1e: I know my colleagues, and understand how to get along
well with each of them. I listen to them and make it a point
to ask about their personal lives.
X
Areas of Interest in Growth
1c: Employs facilitation skills to create trust among
colleagues, develop collective wisdom, build ownership and
action that supports student learning.
I want to learn how to create a bond of trust among
colleagues and be able to talk about how we can best
support our students.
1d: Strives to create an inclusive culture where diverse
perspectives are welcomed in addressing challenges.
I love including everyone and making each person feel warm
and welcome.

Domain 2: Accesses and Uses Research to Improve Practice and Student Learning E/E A I/I
a) Assists colleagues in accessing and using research in order to select appropriate strategies to improve X
student learning.
b) Facilitates the analysis of student learning data, collaborative interpretation of results, and application X
of findings to improve teaching and learning.
c) Supports colleagues in collaborating with the higher education institutions and other organizations X
engaged in researching critical educational issues.
d) Teaches and supports colleagues to collect, analyze, and communicate data from their classrooms to X
improve teaching and learning.
Three Examples of Domain 2 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
2a: My grade-level teacher and I collaborate daily and weekly 2c: Supports colleagues in collaborating with the higher
to talk about upcoming plans and the best ways to support education institutions and other organizations engaged in
student learning. researching critical education issues.
I am so new to this, that this sounds scary to me, but I know
2b: My grade-level teacher and I talk about student data it will be worth it in the end.
regarding tests, quizzes, and essays. Things that work well,
we keep track of, and we edit out things that did not work to
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Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (​http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/)
 make sure our students are well-equipped for success. We
want to make sure that the students are learning effectively.

2d: I try my best to talk with my grade-level teacher and the

other upper elementary teachers to see what they are doing
in their classrooms and determine what is and is not working.

Domain 3: Promotes Professional Learning for Continuous Improvement E/E A I/I

a) Collaborates with colleagues and school administrators to plan professional learning that is team-based, X
job-embedded, sustained over time, aligned with content standards, and linked to school/district
improvement goals.
b) Uses information about adult learning to respond to the diverse learning needs of colleagues by X
identifying, promoting, and facilitating varied and differentiated professional learning.
c) Facilitates professional learning among colleagues. X
d) Identifies and uses appropriate technologies to promote collaborative and differentiated professional X
learning.
e) Works with colleagues to collect, analyze, and disseminate data related to the quality of professional X
learning and its effect on teaching and student learning.
f) Advocates for sufficient preparation, time, and support for colleagues to work in teams to engage in X
job-embedded professional learning.
g) Provides constructive feedback to colleagues to strengthen teaching practice and improve student X
learning.
h) Uses information about emerging education, economic, and social trends in planning and facilitating X
professional learning.
Three Examples of Domain 3 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
I am a novice in all of these areas right now. I have attended 3a: Collaborates with colleagues and school administrators to
professional development seminars, but I have never taught plan professional learning that is team-based,
one, or instigated a professional development that I thought job-embedded, sustained over time, aligned with content
would be necessary. standards, and linked to school/district improvement goals.
I would like to plan professional development with
3e: I attended a professional development webinar via Zoom colleagues and administrators if I find something that would
recently with two of the upper elementary teachers who be helpful to everyone.
were teaching the lower math students. We did talk about
how the content would help us promote learning and growth 3c: Facilitates professional learning among colleagues.
in our math classes, as well as discussed the quality of all the If I found something that was beneficial to my colleagues
areas we were learning about in our PD that were not that I knew inside and out, I would love to teach my
relevant to teachers or our students. colleagues about how it is used in the classroom to become a
more effective teacher.
3g: I have talked with the other upper elementary teachers
and we have shared ideas on what we are doing with our 3d: Identifies and uses appropriate technologies to promote
students and collaborated on what is working and how we collaborative and differentiated professional learning.
can help each other improve and help our students. I am still technically a new teacher, and I want to get better
at finding new and interesting ways to engage my colleagues
3h: This is an area I know next to nothing about, but I am in professional learning, instead of just someone talking
willing to learn and research ideas for PDs that will help me about development.
become a better teacher in the future.
3h: Uses information about emerging education, economic,
and social trends in planning and facilitating professional
learning.
I want to learn all I can about education and new and
upcoming trends in education, so we can be ahead of the
curve and become better educators.

Domain 4: Facilitates Improvements in Instruction and Student Learning E/E A I/I

a) Facilitates the collection, analysis, and use of classroom and school-based data to identify opportunities X
to improve curriculum, instruction, assessment, school organization, and school culture.
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Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (​http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/)
 b) Engages in reflective dialog with colleagues based on observation of instruction, student work, and X
assessment data and helps make connections to research-based effective practices.
c) Supports colleagues’ individual and collective reflection and professional growth by serving in roles such X
as mentor, coach, and content facilitator.
d) Serves as a team leader to harness the skills, expertise, and knowledge of colleagues to address X
curricular expectations and student learning needs.
e) Uses knowledge of existing and emerging technologies to guide colleagues in helping students skillfully X
and appropriately navigate the universe of knowledge available on the Internet, use social media to
promote collaborative learning, and connect with people and resources around the globe.
f) Promotes instructional strategies that address issues of diversity and equity in the classroom and X
ensures that individual student learning needs remain the central focus of instruction.
Three Examples of Domain 4 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
4b: My grade-level teacher and I talk about strategies we 4a: Facilitates the collection, analysis, and use of classroom
have implemented in class for our students and how it and school-based data to identify opportunities to improve
worked and what we can do to improve and/or change. We curriculum, instruction, assessment, school organization, and
have even talked after one of us has tried something in class, school culture.
and have told the other one about the results we saw and This is what being a teacher-leader is all about, and I am
how it was going to be with the other class. ready to make a change to become a leader among my
colleagues.
4e: My grade-level teacher and I collaborate daily about
technologies we can use to improve student learning and 4c: Supports colleagues’ individual and collective reflection
keep them safe on the Internet. I would like to incorporate and professional growth by serving in roles such as mentor,
social media into learning, as this is an age where social coach, and content facilitator.
media is an easy way to reach kids and get them engaged. This is something that I would love to do. Especially if I
became a mentor to a new teacher. I really think I could help
4f: I try my very best every day to be honest and transparent being a mentor and/or coach to other teachers.
with my students, and teach them the difference between
equity and equality at the beginning of the year. This teaches 4f: Serves as team leader to harness the skills, expertise, and
them that the educational journey of each student is knowledge of colleagues to address curricular expectations
different, and each student needs something specific to and student learning needs.
ensure their learning is successful. Definitely not now, but I would love to be a team leader that
the other teachers look to for help and support.

Domain 5: Promotes the Use of Assessments and Data for School and District Improvement E/E A I/I
a) Increases the capacity of colleagues to identify and use multiple assessment tools aligned to state and X
local standards.
b) Collaborates with colleagues in the design, implementation, scoring, and interpretation of student data X
to improve educational practice and student learning.
c) Creates a climate of trust and critical reflection in order to engage colleagues in challenging X
conversations about student learning data that lead to solutions to identified issues.
d) Works with colleagues to use assessment and data findings to promote changes in instructional X
practices or organizational structures to improve student learning.
Three Examples of Domain 5 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
5b: My grade-level teacher and I are really good about 5a: Increases the capacity of colleagues to identify and use
coming to each other to ensure we are on the same page multiple assessment tools aligned to state and local
regarding what we are using for instruction, how we grade, standards.
and how we interpret the student data for moving forward. As teachers, I want us to be agents of change. I want us to
She only has a year more experience than I do, and we get not be afraid to be bold and look for other creative ways to
along and collaborate together well. assess our students’ learning.

5c: I know that my colleagues trust me, and I trust and

respect their opinions as well. As a newer teacher, I greatly
value the conversations about student learning data, and
how I can improve myself as a teacher.

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Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (​http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/)
 5d: Whenever my grade-level teacher and I have assessment
data from shared sources, we find the time to sit down and
talk about the data and how our students can improve going
forward.

Domain 6: Improves Outreach and Collaboration with Families and Community E/E A I/I
a) Uses knowledge and understanding of the different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and languages in X
the school community to promote effective interactions among colleagues, families, and the larger
community.
b) Models and teaches effective communication and collaboration skills with families and other X
stakeholders focused on attaining equitable achievement for students of all backgrounds and
circumstances.
c) Facilitates colleagues’ self-examination of their own understandings of community culture and diversity X
and how they can develop culturally responsive strategies to enrich the educational experiences of
students and achieve high levels of learning for all students.
d) Develops a shared understanding among colleagues of the diverse educational needs of families and the X
community.
e) Collaborates with families, communities, and colleagues to develop comprehensive strategies to address X
the diverse educational needs of families and the community.
Three Examples of Domain 6 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
6a: I know my students and their families, as well as my 6c: Facilitates colleagues’ self-examination of their own
colleagues. I am a relational person who is intentional about understandings of community culture and diversity and how
relationships and forming bonds with other people. I am they can develop culturally responsive strategies to enrich
learning more every day about how best to communicate the educational experiences of students and achieve high
with our families and especially my grade-level teacher. I am levels of learning for all students.
still a new (2nd year) teacher, who is learning more about I want learning to be accessible for all students.
how to be an effective communicator. Sometimes you learn
from your mistakes in failing to communicate before you can 6d: Develops a shared understanding among colleagues of
communicate well. the diverse educational needs of families and the
community.
6b: I am great at knowing my students and what they need to I want my colleagues to see how we can effectively reach all
be successful learners. I reach out to the families about what of our families to make learning as accessible to everyone as
their child needs to be successful, and keep them updated possible.
about their child’s in-class progress.

6e: My grade-level teacher and I talk all the time about

effective strategies to reach our students. Since I teach 6th
grade, I also communicate with the students directly about
what I think would best help them be successful.

Domain 7: Advocates for Student Learning and the Profession E/E A I/I
a) Shares information with colleagues within and/or beyond the district regarding how local, state, and X
national trends and policies can impact classroom practices and expectations for student learning.
b) Works with colleagues to identify and use research to advocate for teaching and learning processes that X
meet the needs of all students.
c) Collaborates with colleagues to select appropriate opportunities to advocate for the rights and/or needs X
of students, to secure additional resources within the building or district that support student learning,
and to communicate effectively with targeted audiences such as parents and community members.
d) Advocates for access to professional resources, including financial support and human and other X
material resources, that allow colleagues to spend significant time learning about effective practices and
developing a professional learning community focused on school improvement goals.
e) Represents and advocates for the profession in contexts outside of the classroom. X
Three Examples of Domain 7 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth

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Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (​http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/)
 7b: I talk with my colleagues all the time, especially the upper
elementary and my grade-level colleagues about how I can
best meet the needs of all of my students. I am a teachable
person, and I want to learn how I can best support my
students to become successful in learning.
7c: I do collaborate with my colleagues, especially the upper
elementary teachers, and we talk about and share ideas that
have worked with each other. I do want to improve at
looking for things I can do in my classroom, and then be
ready to share what I have learned and how it worked with
my students.
7d: I am a novice to all of this. Sometimes I don’t even know
what I can research to find PDs that would work for me. I
want to get better at these things, but it is difficult because I
am still trying to figure out teaching.
7c: Collaborates with colleagues to select appropriate
opportunities to advocate for the rights and/or needs of
students, to secure additional resources within the building
or district that support student learning, and to
communicate effectively with targeted audiences such as
parents and community members.
I want to speak out about what we need as educators and
find how I can make those wants and dreams into realities.
7d: Advocates for access to professional resources, including
financial support and human and other material resources,
that allow colleagues to spend significant time learning about
effective practices and developing a professional learning
community focused on school improvement goals.
It would be amazing to be an advocate that speaks for the
betterment of the school in the near future.
7e: Represents and advocates for the profession in contexts
outside of the classroom.
I want to expand myself as a teacher outside of the
classroom, and explore how I can mold myself to become a
better teacher by expressing the reason for my love and
devotion to the best profession in the world.

Summary of Strengths and Areas of Possible Growth

● I am good at collaborating with my grade-level teacher and other colleagues.
● I know my students well and am constantly trying to find strategies to keep them engaged in learning.
● I communicate effectively with the parents, although I need to improve on letting the parents know right away when
their student is not doing well.
● I want to become a better leader who is not afraid to speak out when I have something of value to share.
● I desire to learn about the new education and teaching trends so I can educate my colleagues about them.
● I want to become a facilitator, coach, and mentor to other teachers so I can share my experience.
● I want to become a community and global educator who reaches out to people outside of my school site.

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Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (​http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/)