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 X
promote effective interactions among colleagues.
Three Examples of Domain 1 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
1. I meet with the music department at my school An area in which I would like to improve is my own
once a week to help find direction and plan any knowledge of different backgrounds. I want to know more
upcoming events. Having this time set aside each about different cultures and how I can incorporate their
week has been helpful as I start my teaching music into my classroom. This will help when I am teaching
career. my section on music history.
2. Creating an inclusive environment has been a main
goal of mine. I want my students to feel safe and
welcome in music class. I want students to
understand that differences can be used as an
advantage in a music environment. I use songs
from different cultures and encourage students to
share their family background when it comes to
music.
3. My other colleagues are very open to
collaboration. So far, I have collaborated with the
math teacher, and the Spanish teacher. Allowing
students to see the connections between these
subjects will improve their experiences in all of
these courses.

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
1. The music department and I have been meeting I would like to improve my data and information collection
Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 1
 weekly to select appropriate strategies to improve methods. The recent music education association I received
student learning. We recently purchased a whole a membership to has information on this. I will start to
new music curriculum. research this soon.
2. When it comes to being in contact with outside
organizations, I had my school get me
memberships to music associations which help me
to become more informed.
3. I have been encouraging my other music teachers
to collect information about individual students so
I can use it to gage where students are.

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 job- X
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
1. I facilitate professional learning among my My biggest area of growth would be learning to speak up
colleagues by encouraging them to go to music and advocate for myself. My first year as a teacher, I was
education conferences with me. handed a schedule. This second year I spoke up and told my
2. I am always incorporating new technologies into administration that a music teacher needs prep time
my classroom and lessons. Students get to explore worked into the schedule.
the world of music and music technology.
3. A music teaching job needs more prep time than
most other classes. As the music teacher, I told my
school that I need time to learn the songs myself
before giving it out to students.

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.
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
1. I get the wonderful opportunity to observe I am interested in learning more about the appropriate
Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 2
 instruction of other teachers at my school. This has approach to diversity. How much should I cover this topic
been worked into my schedule and has helped me and how should it be introduced to students, especially at
out as I start my career. different grade levels. I teacher preschool all the way to
2. I serve as a team leader by hosting the music eighth grade.
department meetings in my classroom once a
week. We cover curricular expectations and
student learning during these meetings.
3. When it comes to diversity and inclusion, my
classroom instruction has been filled with many
different lessons on this topic.

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
1. I am always researching and cross checking our Growing in using assessment data to promote changes in
music curriculum with the state standards. I want instructional practice is something I would like to know
to make sure I am properly preparing my students more about. I feel I don’t know where to turn when a
for when they move onto high school music teaching method isn’t working out for me.
classes.
2. Creating a climate of trust has been experienced
during our teacher in-service days. These are
workdays where we meet all day long to discuss
issues and get to know each other as coworkers.
3. The other music teachers and I recently purchased
a new curriculum because the old one had some
outdated state standards.

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
1. Different cultures have been explored in my Collaborating with the community is something I strive
classroom using choral music. I had a student lead towards but sometimes I don’t know where to start. I
a song in a different language. This gave this would love to have my choir or band students perform at
student a sense of importance and leadership. local events and gain experience before they leave for high
2. Modeling effective communication is extremely school.
important for a music teacher. I need to
communicate concert and rehearsal details

Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 3
 effectively.
3. Collaborating with families and the community has
been a challenge during these covid times but I
would like to get my students performing for the
community soon.

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
1. I am always sharing state standards with my music I am interested in growing in meeting the needs of all
department team. We want to make sure the students. How do I meet so many different needs at once
students are learning what is expected of them when there is only one of me? When teachers find a way to
when they graduate and leave our school. do this, it amazes me.
2. We have some students who need special
attention and I have been doing countless hours of
research to find was to differentiate for them.
3. I represent and advocate for the profession in
contexts outside the classroom by staying
professional myself and offering after school music
tutoring lessons.

Summary of Strengths and Areas of Possible Growth

Overall, I believe my strengths are, communication and advocating for myself and my students needs. Building a
community of trust and respect is something I list in my mission statement which is hanging on the wall in my classroom. I
want the students to respect me but also themselves, which is why I have each one of my classes create a contract. This
contract lists expectations that the students think of. Students hold each other to this standard instead of the teacher
telling them what to do. The biggest are of improvement for me is sticking up for myself. To be successful, I need prep time
worked into my schedule and time to reflect on lessons. One of the smaller areas of growth is organization. I am an
organized person but teaching all music classes from preschool to eighth grade has such rapid transitions. I need to find a
way to separate the work from each of these classes to be successful.

Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 4