CHAPTER IV

The Teacher as a Leader of

Educational Reforms
OBJECTIVES:
 discuss the different definitions attributed to teacher leadership;
.

 explore the impact of teacher leadership to student learning, school improvement and teacher

retention;

 determine the role of teacher leadership in school reforms;

 discuss the different phases teachers go through as they transition into becoming teacher leaders.

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INTRODUCTION

The recent reforms in the Philippine educational system bring to light the importance of the role of
teacher in ensuring that initiatives to improve the teaching-learning process are implemented efficiently or
effectively.

In order for these reforms to take place, it is necessary to have teachers who will support these
initiatives, Thus, the need for teacher leaders.

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Teachers play a vital role in ensuring the success of the implementation of the educational reforms in
the country for the following reason.
.

1.Teachers are in close coordination with the student.

2. Teacher are aware on the new initiatives with directly influence the way they teach.

3. Teachers are also in direct communication with various stakeholders.

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 Teacher Leadership and School improvement

.
Teacher leaders are in best position to address these issue
because they are aware of the reasons why said issues or
concerns happened in the first place and how it happened.
Having directly experience the concerns and his sense of
familiarity with the school community allow teacher leaders
to address specific needs and issues affecting the school
( Nappi, 2014)

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Teacher Leadership and Student Achievement

Teachers who are given the opportunity to make decisions in the classroom are found to have
lasting effect on. improving the performance of their students. This was proven by (Richard
Ingersoll)

They found out that when teachers were given more leverage to put teaching and learning at
the center of their instructional decision, have students who scored 10 percentile higher in
math and English/language arts on state tests compared with other schools who rank low on
teacher leadership (Will,2017)

It was revealed that teacher leadership plays a big role in improving students performance
these teachers manifested continuous engagement, showed commitment, openness to new
knowledge and different views and a strong focus on growth. These teachers who greatly
improved their students performance in mathematics are sensitive, flexible and open to
alternatives (lipesa, 2018) Next Page
 Teachers Leadership and Teacher Retention

This may be brought about by low pay, personal circumstances, stress , working conditions and isolation (
.
Borman and Dowling, 2008).

Since seclusion has been identified as a primary reason why teacher leave profession, it is imperative that
they someone whom they can discuss and collaborate with in order to help them get through with
challenging issues and concerns ( Basich, 2018).

Teachers motivation emanates from establishment of professional ties and relationship with other
teachers, recognition of professional contribution, evaluation of teachers, and programs for teacher
development and leadership ( Warren, 2018).

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Definition of Teacher Leadership

“Teacher leadership is a process”

.

Teacher leadership has been defined in various

ways. The definitions attributed to teacher
leadership revolve around functions within and
those that extend beyond the classroom.

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Teacher Leadership involves ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
Teacher leadership is often equated with administrative functions. Often, teachers who exhibit leadership
qualities are given leadership functions outside the classroom. Teachers who are assigned as an
administrator usually. assume leadership and management functions.

According to Tony Bush(2007), leaders inspire change while managers work on making sure that school
operations continue to function efficiently and effectively. who exhibit leadership qualities are given
leadership functions outside the classroom. Teachers who are assigned as an administrator usually
assume leadership and management functions.

According to Tony Bush(2007), The history of teacher leadership suggests that teachers then did not have
leadership roles. Teachers will only be given leadership roles if they assume a position ( Sanocki, 2013)
leaders inspire change while managers work on making sure that school operations continue to function efficiently and effectively.

School nowadays are confronted with lot of issues. These issues may revolve content, pedagogy, beliefs
or values.
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 Teacher leadership involves COLLABORATION

Teacher leaders collaborate with others.

Teacher leaders A study was conducted to
.

determine how a partnership between a local

high school and college in the united states has
fostered the promotion of teacher leadership
among those who mentor pre-service teachers.
collaborate with others.
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Teacher Leadership Includes Sharing of Best Practice

Most important of all, they share their knowledge, expertise and experience to
improve students
. learning (Lumpkin, Claxton and Wilson, 2014).

There are various ways of sharing best practices (Spence, 2017).

•One way of doing this is by sharing of concrete materials or resources.

•Another way in which teachers can share their practices is by sharing classroom
activities which involve lesson plans, grading and strategies in developing lessons.

•The third way of sharing practices is by showing other teacher works of students or
products that the students have developed.
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 .

Teacher Leadership Involves Taking Action

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Teacher Leadership Includes Role
.

modeling

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CHALLENGES OF TEACHER LEADERS
Teachers who have been in the
.
field for four to ten years are at
the point in their careers when
they have already gained enough
experience and expertise which
could be used to help other
teachers.
(Rasberry and Mahajan, 2008).
As teachers, it cannot be
discounted that most of the work
done remains between the
teacher and the students
In a study conducted by
Johnson and Donaldson(2007),
teachers are confronted with
issues that revolve around the
norms of school culture. Among
the issues identified are
autonomy, egalitarianism, and
deference to seniority.
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PROMOTING TEACHER LEADERSHIP
1. The teachers background and previous experience on leadership .

2. Would have to do with the competence of the principal...

3. The practice of distributed leadership

4. Collaboration and consultation also paved way for teachers to assume leadership roles .

5. The fact the principal defined their role as an influencer paved way for others to follow the example of
their leaders.

6. The principals are good motivators .

7. Most of the principal were focused on instruction .

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