Andrei Nikko A.

Mallari

BSED 2-B

EDUC 3: FINALS

Dicuss vividly how a teacher could become a teacher leader.

Show interest in other classrooms

Interacting with other classrooms is one of the most important parts of any teacher leadership role. And
yet, we struggle. We are all guilty of closing our doors and neglecting to interact with anyone outside of
our hallway. Classroom management is key, but so too is professional learning. Recently, I was speaking
with another teacher when I realized I had no idea where her classroom was located. How could I
support someone I had not invested in? Take time out of your day to become involved in, or simply to
observe, other classrooms. My school has implemented a Pineapple Chart, a learning community
calendar where teachers mark dates when they are open for classroom visitors. This is a great way for
offering planned opportunities for others to observe other classrooms unobtrusively. Take the time to
show support for the amazing teaching and learning happening all around you.

Help out when needed

When the call comes to help another teacher, it is shamefully easy to ignore it. We’re busy people. This
is just one of the hundreds of emails we get each day, and you will not be the only one to pretend it
doesn’t exist. If a teacher needs classroom resources, coverage for an hour or two or help putting
together curriculum plans, trust that they’re in need of a helping hand for a good reason. If you can, help
them. Not only are you acting as a teacher leader when you support your other teachers by responding
to their needs, you’re also setting a tone for the type of culture you want to create among the faculty at
your school.

Advocate for growth

Change is one of the most frightening aspects of education. As soon as I feel I have mastered my
curriculum, administration has new requests, standardized testing requirements evolve or standards are
revised. While change and growth are not always synonymous, it’s important that teacher leaders give
new policies their best chance. I was staunchly opposed to a new textbook rollout for our high school,
but upon reading the text, it had several stellar short stories by diverse authors. Keep in mind, teacher
leaders should not bend to the will of the system on every occasion. An educator’s main goal is to help
students learn, and policies that hurt our students should be discouraged. However, it is often true that
teacher leaders support more initiatives than they oppose.

Listen purposefully

In the modern world, communication has taken a back seat to screen time. With social media vying for
our attention, many of us have forgotten a critical skill: listening. Creating meaningful relationships
through listening to your peers is integral to being a teacher leader. Listen purposefully when you talk
with other teachers. Be aware of eye contact and body language, and ask relevant questions to show
your colleagues you are listening to understand, not just listening to respond. Listening seems like such a
basic skill, but showing empathy to your coworkers will enhance the workplace for the better.

Be positive and kind

In the field of education, it is easy to get sucked into a cycle of cynicism. Apathy is a virus that can
destroy the will of any teacher. Effective teacher leaders are optimistic, especially when it’s difficult to
be so. When every lesson plan has gone wrong, an enormous number of students have been absent and
the Wi-Fi is down again, teacher leaders are still looking for ways to make the day better. We’re all
human, and emotions -- good and bad -- are a part of that package. But our students need us to be there
for them, even on our worst days. Similarly, our colleagues need us to be there for them, too. When we
can remain positive and kind in the face of hardship, our school learning environment benefits.