‘Shared Leadership: Explore, Empower, Excel’
Leena PimpleyPrincipal, Bunts Sangha’s S M Shetty International School & Junior College, Mumbai
December 28, 2014
What is a Learning School?
A school that adapts a culture of learning in every aspect of its operation
Every member of the school is learning
Learning is a habit developed with purpose and perseverance
Michael Fullan: ‘Leading a Culture of Change’
‘The litmus test of all leadership is whether it mobilizes people's commitment to putting their energy into actions designed to improve things. It is individual commitment, but above all it is collective mobilization’
Teacher in a Traditional School Set UP
• confined to the four walls of the classroom• restricted to the delivery of curriculum• Teaching, a ‘Flat Profession’ with very limited
scope for leading or initiating unless one leaves ‘academics’ and enters ‘administration’
Teacher in a Traditional School Set UP
• Responsibilities: more or less the same throughout career span
• Outcome: – too many teachers remained in isolated classrooms– lacked opportunities to explore and contribute
Demands from today’s Principal
• Instructional Leader• Visionary• Competent Manager• Custodian of Rules and
Regulations• Respondent to
Multiple Stakeholders
Shared Leadership
• An idea whose time has come…
• Varied leadership roles have begun to emerge and promise real prospects for teachers to impact educational change-without necessarily leaving ‘academics’.
The Wallace Perspective
• ..Shaping a vision of academic success for all students.
• ..Creating a climate hospitable to education. • ..Cultivating leadership in others. • ..Improving instruction. • ..Managing people, data and processes to
foster school improvement.
Wallace Foundation Report2012
Types of Teacher LeadershipFormal Leadership Informal Leadership
Apply for their positions No positional authority
Chosen through a selection process No formal selection rather emerge spontaneously and organically from
the teacher ranks
May receive training No formal training
Section Head, Coordinator, Head of Department, Member of the School
Governing Council
Share their expertisevolunteer for new projects
bring new ideas to the school
Evaluate other teachers and observations are considered during
teacher appraisals
take the initiative to address a problem or institute a new program
Shared Teacher Leadership (STL)
• Exhibits important skills, values, and dispositions
• Calls others to action and energize them with the aim of improving teaching and learning
• Offers to help colleagues to carry out their classroom duties and assist in the improvement of classroom practice
Explore Potential Teacher Leaders• Shared Vision and Mission• Brain storming and Collaborative sessions
Shared
Vision
Collaboration
Collective Accountability
Integrated Systems Approach
Widely Distributed Leadership
Shared Leadership Model
Leadership SkillsPromoting a clear vision
Taking initiative
Persevering in the face of obstacles
Communicating effectively
Building support with parents and community
Providing support and encouragement when needed
Celebrating and recognizing program successes
6 Areas to create Teacher Leadership Opportunities
Set Examples• Impro
ve One’s own performance
Reflect• Organ
izing and Leading Reviews of School System and Processes
Extend Knowledge• Curric
ulum Development
• Classroom practices
Involve in Decision Making• Active
ly participate in school-level decisions
In-Service Education• Ment
oring new teachers
• Assisting peers
Peer Review• Buddy
System
• Peer Review and Constructive feedback
Benefits of Shared Teacher Leadership
Teacher leadership is the process by which teachers, individually or collectively, influence their colleagues, principals, and other members of the school community to improve teaching and learning practices with the aim of increased student learning and achievement.
- The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, Washington DC
Benefit 1: Within the Department or Team
• Interpersonal Relationships• Teacher leader’s credibility and trust among
colleagues• A number of activities and projects can be
initiated
Benefit 2: Across the School
• Efforts can be mobilized towards enhancing programmes across school– Grading Policies– Co-curricular Activities– Events– Inter-school competitions– Competitive Examinations
Benefit 3: Beyond School
• Representing School at seminars and conferences
• Out reach programmes• Community service projects
Excel with Shared Teacher Leadership
• Reflection and Feedback• Acknowledging the Success and Efforts