Building Rural K-12 Leadership Pipeline: Outcomes of a Teacher Leadership Academy

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 11:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: From Preparation to Leadership: Supporting Rural Teachers Through Identity, Networks, and Community

Abstract

In this mixed-methods study, we examined the outcomes of a Midwest Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) designed to enhance experienced teachers’ leadership skills and encourage them to pursue leadership roles. Over three years (2022–2024), the TLA served 211 teachers through a graduate-level, face-to-face course accredited by five universities. Surveys from 98 teachers and 28 mentors explored perceptions of the TLA’s impact on leadership knowledge and skills, as well as the contributions of its resources, activities, instructors, and mentors. Findings indicated a positive impact, suggesting the TLA can help strengthen rural leadership pipelines and inform strategies for preparing future school administrators.

Authors

• Hamada Elfarargy, South Dakota State University

• Anne Karabon, South Dakota State University

• Patrick D. Hales, South Dakota State University