Transformational Classroom Leadership: The Fourth Wave of
Teacher Leadership? : Pounder (2006) conducted a study about
how teacher leaders should take on a transformational leadership approach to classroom leadership. The setting was in publicly funded education institutions across Australia, Canada, the UK and the US. The ndings were the speci c leadership qualities that a teacher leader possess and how they relate to transformational leadership attributes. In the article, Pounder shared that teacher leaders are both outstanding individuals in their eld of expertise and are people who promote positive change in their communities. The author suggested that Teacher Leaders and Transformational Leadership share very similar qualities and are interconnected and have positive impact on student learning. In conclusion, according to Pounder, “transformational teacher leaders are also able to enhance student learning, creativity and ethical behaviour.”
What does the Research Tell Us About Teacher Leadership?:
The Center of Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement (2015) conducted a study about the research available regarding teacher leadership in hopes that it would help frame teacher leadership as a way to grow more teacher leaders. The participants were various authors that had conducted research about teacher leadership. The ndings were inconclusive, according to the research addressed, there was no conclusive evidence about how e ective teacher leadership is. According to The Center of Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, the one thing that did come from the research was that the way the management system is set up in schools causes an issue for teacher leaders. The authors suggested that “traditional forms of management must be modi ed to be more horizontal and less hierarchical for teacher leadership to ourish.” In the article, it discussed that the way schools are managed right now creates an environment where the qualities of teacher leaders are not celebrated or fostered.
Compare/Contrast Articles: These two articles suggest that
teacher leaders exhibit speci c qualities that foster healthy classroom environments and promote positive change in their school systems. However, whereas Pounder explores the connection between transformational leadership and teacher leader, The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and ff fi fi fl fi fi fi fi Improvement suggests that teacher leaders aren’t as common as a result of a awed management system. Both articles emphasize the importance of teacher leaders, but where Pounder explores the characteristics of an e ective teacher leader, The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement focuses on the kind of environment a teacher leader needs to ourish.
How Articles Inform Your Teaching Practice: In both articles,
they discussed how imperative teacher leaders are to the quality and continued improvement in education. The characteristics both articles highlighted as necessary for teacher leaders are characteristics that I will be more mindful to foster and grow in my own teaching practice.
Works Cited:
Pounder, J.S. (2006). Transformational Classroom Leadership: The
Fourth Wave of Teacher Leadership? Educational Management Administration & Leadership. London, Thousand Oaks and New Delhi: SAGE Publications.
The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement
(2005). "Research Brief: What does the research tell us about Teacher Leadership?" Washington, DC. https:// www.readingrockets.org/article/what-does-research-tell-us-about- teacher-leadership