Early and Mid-Career Teachers' Blog Conversations About Teacher Leadership: Issues and Insights

• In Event: 18.058 - MTCC Roundtable Session Four
  In Roundtable Session: 18.058-4 - Taking a Closer Look: Professional Development for Teacher Leadership

Abstract

In a summative content analysis of eight emerging teacher leader blogs, the conceptualizations and operationalization of teacher leader was explored over the course of a graduate course in teacher leadership. The thematic conversations that spanned the blogs aligned with common definitions and conceptualizations of teacher leadership in the research by emphasizing (a) supporting changes for all students outside their own classrooms, and (b) collaborating to support teacher professional development that makes change possible school-wide. However, the blog conversations also suggested new directions for studying and implementing teacher leadership, specifically identifying of specific teacher leadership skills and dispositions and providing development of these qualities as well as opportunities for their practice.

Author

• Debra K. Meyer, Elmhurst College