Connecting Teacher Leadership and School Improvement

by Joseph Murphy

• ISBN13: 9780761988304
• ISBN10: 0761988300
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-25
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

Increase student learning by developing teacher leaders! Research over the years has consistently identified leadership as a critical component of school change and, as initiatives to reform the educational system have emerged, one significant line of work emphasizes teachers assuming greater leadership roles within their organizations. Connecting Teacher Leadership and School Improvement is the first book to synthesize theoretical, empirical, and practice-based literature in order to provide a comprehensive look at what is known about teacher leadership and what works to support it. The first part of the book explores the core concepts of teacher leadership, while the second part shows readers how to establish the context in their school or district to cultivate and support teacher leaders. A vital piece of equipment in the school improvement toolbox, this book covers such important topics as: The principal's critical role in supporting teacher leadershipCultivating teacher leadership through professional developmentOvercoming organizational barriers that hinder teacher leadershipHow teacher leadership can help advance school improvement efforts Presenting a comprehensive model of this successful change strategy, author Joseph Murphy examines the ideological and empirical basis of teacher leadership and offers strategies to help teachers and principals create productive relationships that will strengthen our nation's schools.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
About the Author	xi
Part I: Unpacking the Concept	1	(94)
1. Introduction to Teacher Leadership	3	(18)
The Starting Gate	5	(3)
Definitional Issues	8	(10)
Conclusion	18	(3)
2. Forces Supporting Teacher Leadership	21	(25)
Reconceptualizing School Organizations	22	(5)
Redefining School Leadership	27	(11)
The Changing Calculus of School Improvement	38	(7)
Conclusion	45	(1)
3. Teacher Leadership: A Theory in Action	46	(18)
Some Cautions	47	(3)
Embedded Logic	50	(13)
Conclusion	63	(1)
4. The Skills, Attributes, and Knowledge of Teacher Leaders	64	(17)
Introductory Notes	65	(3)
Teacher Leadership Skills	68	(5)
Teacher Tasks	73	(7)
Conclusion	80	(1)
5. Pathways to Teacher Leadership	81	(14)
Role-Based Strategies	82	(6)
Community-Based Strategies	88	(6)
Conclusion	94	(1)
Part II: Overcoming Barriers and Capturing Opportunities	95	(72)
6. Confronting Organizational and Cultural Barriers	97	(31)
Organizational Structure	99	(5)
Support Systems	104	(14)
Culture	118	(9)
Conclusion	127	(1)
7. Promoting Teacher Leadership
From the Principal's Office	128	(1)
Developing Relationships in Support of Teacher Leadership	129	(7)
Working to Promote Teacher Leadership	136	(5)
Conclusion	141	(2)
8. Developing Teacher Leaders	143	(16)
The State of Preparedness	144	(2)
Professional Development: A General Framework	146	(4)
Professional Development for Teacher Leadership	150	(8)
Conclusion	158	(1)
9. Conclusion	159	(8)
Some Reminders	159	(1)
A Skeptical Note	160	(1)
A Paradox	161	(1)
Gaps in the Landscape	161	(1)
Some Caveats and Concerns	162	(2)
A Question of Evidence	164	(1)
A Note on Research	165	(1)
Conclusion	166	(1)
References	167	(24)
Index	191