International Perspectives on Teacher Leadership

• In Event: Exploring Teacher Leadership

Abstract

This is a summary of studies conducted by researchers from nine countries during a large international study of teacher leadership. First is a description of why teacher leadership merits study. This is followed by an overview of teacher leader motivations. Next, the challenges of leading are outlined, and an explanation is provided of teacher leader work. Then the work that remains to be done in support of teacher leadership is described. The paper concludes by suggesting that calls for studies of a cause-effect relationship between teacher leadership and student achievement are unanswerable, that esoteric discussions of educational terminology should not impede school improvement, that teacher leadership must have an altruistic dimension, and that teacher leadership is fragile and politicized.

Authors

• Charles Webber, Mount Royal University
  Presenting Author

• Dorothy Andrews, University of Southern Queenlsand
  Non-Presenting Author