Elevating Practice from Within: The Impact of Teacher Leaders on Instruction

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 4:15 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Learning While Leading: Identity, Belonging, and Storytelling

Abstract

While the positive influence of teacher leaders on teachers, students, and school communities is well documented, prior research has largely relied on self-reported survey data to assess this impact. To build on and strengthen this evidence base, this mixed-methods study investigates how formal teacher leadership roles shape instructional practice using more objective measures. Specifically, the quantitative analysis leverages teacher evaluation ratings to examine the relationship between teacher leader performance and classroom teacher effectiveness, controlling for teacher, school leader, and school characteristics. Complementary qualitative findings from school personnel provide insight into how teacher leaders support and influence instructional improvement. Together, these findings highlight the value of structured leadership pathways for improving instruction and fostering a collaborative school culture.

Authors

• Handrea A. Logis, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

• Tanee Hudgens, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

• Rhea Rong Ren, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

• Joshua H. Barnett, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching