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
 I work with grade level colleagues in PLC groups As an introverted and shy person, I don’t always like to be
where we choose important standards and create the one putting myself out there as the “leader” of a group. I
common formative assessments to help us see often feel the most comfortable listening and contributing
where students are at and what needs to ne re- when I can. I can work on giving more contributions and
taught. We work together to create assessments working toward a larger leadership position.
and lesson plans and brainstorm ideas.
 I work with colleagues school wide as a part of my
Middle School Team. We brainstorm ideas
together to help with workload and student
compliancy concerns. We work together on weekly
goals and commitments to help our individual
classes.
 I keep in contact with grade level colleagues
outside of these groups by interacting in Skype
groups. Within these groups we share resources,
answers questions, and just help each other out
when needed.

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
 I work with my PLC team to collect assessment One of my goals has been to analyze and use data to guide
data to see where student support is needed. We my teaching more accurately. I want to be able to use the

Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 1
 create intervention lessons and hold small group strategies most effective for my students at a given time and
sessions where students are invited based on the be able to back up that effectiveness.
data we collect.
 I work with my Team to assess data and use the
information to set commitments and goals for the
semester in regards to student attendance and
pass rates.
 I work with my lead to collect and analyze data on
student engagement to help me know which
students to reach out to who may need
reengagement strategies.

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
 I participate in monthly professional development Outside of things learned in my induction program and
where I try out new technologies and teach through schoolwide PDs, I don’t feel like I always have time
strategies to bring back to my classroom. to stay up to date on new teaching theories or practices. I
 I bring back research learned from my induction would like to devote time to attending PD opportunities
program to share best practices and ideas with outside of my school offered options to bring back new ideas.
colleagues.
 I watch other teacher’s best practices to help me
with new ideas to try in my own classroom. I work
with other teachers to share resources and learn
new technologies to help with our online lessons.

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
Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 2
  I work with my lead to reflect on pop in I would be interested in one day serving in a mentor type
observations and brainstorm new ideas to improve role for new teachers, but it is not something I have had an
classroom practices. opportunity to do yet as a teacher still completing the
 I work with my Instructional Coach to create PEARS induction process. I would also be interested in helping to
goals for the school year, reflect on observations, shape the curriculum taught in our program, as I have had a
and brainstorm new ideas I can bring back to my chance to see what has and hasn’t worked so far.
classroom.
 As a virtual school, I am always researching and
implementing new technology sources to help
students have opportunities to collaborate online
and learn in new ways.

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
 I collaborate with colleagues in PLC groups to While I feel confident in my collaborative abilities with
design assessments based on chosen standards to colleagues, I have not yet taken on a leadership role in the
ensure all students are learning. PLC process.
 I work with colleagues by sharing ideas in
respectful ways and working together to solve any
issues with student compliancy.
 I collaborate with colleagues in PLC to use our
assessment data to determine reteaching
strategies and re-assessment strategies.

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
 I use knowledge of my students to help create I would like to grow in communicating with difficult to
lessons that apply to their lives to increase engage families. I am afraid of confrontation which can
engagement. sometimes hinder my ability to consistently reach out to
 I have weekly communication with families and families of students who are missing school or not
monthly connections with students/families completing their daily work. I also would like to further use
through phone calls and homeroom sessions. my knowledge of student backgrounds to fuel my lesson
 I collaborate with colleagues about best ways to planning to create lessons that actually relate to them and
engage families that are difficult to contact or what they see on a daily basis.
students who are not logging in daily.
Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 3
 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
 I participate in the school Union and help to I would like to become more involved in the union and
advocate for teacher support. advocate for students/teachers outside of the school setting.
 I reach out to my admin when I notice something I would need to investigate resources on getting started but
that is not working or want to try an alternate have always felt passionate about this subject.
method of teaching or break away from curriculum
to help student success.
 I work with admin to come up with solutions to
problems that come up in the classroom.

Summary of Strengths and Areas of Possible Growth

I feel that my biggest strength lies in my ability to collaborate with other colleagues. I have taken full advantage of PLC
groups to help brainstorm ideas, and Skype groups to share resources. This level of collaboration has helped me
immensely, especially in my first years when I had no resources to start with. I feel that as time has gone by I have been
able to contribute more and more to these groups. I also feel like I have strength in receiving and implementing feedback
given to me by admin coming to observe my classes. I use their feedback as opportunities to try new ideas and see what
does and doesn’t work for my students.
I believe my area of growth comes in taking more “leader” roles in these groups I am already in. While I am great at
working together, I have not felt like I am in a place to take on a leader role to facilitate these conversations. This could be
something to work toward as I get more comfortable in the profession.

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