Teacher Leader Endorsement: Concepts and Strategies

              Teacher Leader Endorsement
Concepts and Strategies
Rationale for Teacher Leaders:
• We know that teachers take on leadership responsibilities in the school and are not often
acknowledged for these efforts. A teacher leadership endorsement presents a state-sponsored
acknowledgement for teachers who serve in leadership roles.
• Teacher leaders in schools supports the work of principals by creating a system of shared
leadership allowing principals to delegate some instructional leadership tasks to teacher
leaders to alleviate their stress and to focus on high priority items (Lord & Miller, 2000;
Teachers Network Leadership Institute, 2006).
• Teacher leaders in schools also create more professional development providers in the
building during a time when districts are being required to cut back on administrative
support.
Potential Roles for Teacher Leaders:
A teacher leader endorsement recognizes the expertise of teachers in subject matter knowledge,
instructional practices, child development, and teacher needs. Using this knowledge, teacher
leaders are able to:
• Mentor or coach new teachers
• Develop and deliver professional development activities
• Lead curriculum standards committees
• Develop curriculum
• Lead School Improvement Initiatives
• Serve as department or grade level chairs
• Serve on school leadership teams
• Become a union chapter leader
• Serve on committees, task forces, etc.
• Respond to crises in the schools (e.g., serve as a substitute, student discipline, respond to
teacher’s instructional needs, etc.)
• Collect assessment data and help administrators and teachers use it for school
improvements (Lord & Miller, 2000; Teachers Network Leadership Institute, 2006)
Illinois’ teacher leadership endorsement provides a state recognition for teachers who serve in
these roles and have acquired additional leadership training.
Illinois’ teacher leader endorsement allows teachers who want to pursue additional leadership
training and responsibilities, but want to still remain a teacher to do so without having to
complete a full administrative licensure program. However, the teacher leadership endorsement
should articulate to administrator licensure and not present another hurdle.
What other states are doing:
Louisiana:
• All teacher leader programs are performance-based and aspiring teacher leaders must
meet all ELCC and Louisiana state leadership standards.
• Teachers must complete 2 graduate level courses in school leadership. These 2 courses
articulate into a full educational leadership program.
• Aimed at teachers who do not want to become administrators, but still want to be leaders
in their schools. Typically, these leaders want to be grade level or department chairs. The
endorsement has allowed teacher leaders to better understand the principal’s role and the
needs of the position.
• The endorsement does not mandate a pay raise. This is at the discretion of the district.