Sunday, July 18, 2010

Teacher Leader Interview Synthesis/Summary

1. Why did you decide to take this interview for me?


*Friendship

*Expertise in the field

*Necessary component of strong schools

*To show a focus on teachers as leaders not teachers who want to be administrators

*As part of continuing education

*Being a colleague or former colleague

*Teaching is important

*It’s good to hear what others have to say

*It’s interesting

*Helping a colleague



2. How would you define teacher leadership?

*Taking extra responsibilities in classroom

*Professional development: classes, meetings, workshops

*Go the extra mile for students and grade level

*Dealing with the day in/day out school tasks: master schedule, events, times, instructional program, staff requirements, activities, testing, & community outreach.

*Mentoring

*Representing school and student body effectively

*Leading fellow teachers, new teachers, other staff, students, & families

*Not necessarily administrative

*Leading with effectiveness & passion

*Listening

*Acknowledging everyone is a contributor

*Taking & giving advice

*Differentiating instruction

*Being a positive role model within & without the school

*Teaching life skills to students

*Making decisions for the school

*Getting everyone involved

*Keeping the peace

*Being an educational advocate in classroom, school, community, and beyond



3. What contributions have you made as a teacher leader in your school, district, and community? How did you become involved in making these contributions (volunteering, required by administrator, paid role, etc.)?

*Being on leadership team

*Plan school activities

*Communicate with community

*Creating master schedule

*Creating school wide plans

*Writing grants

*Going to meetings

*Involvement in & leadership of National, State, Local professional development organizations

*Mentoring

*Involvement &/or Chairing school committees

*Community Performances

*Coaching

*Clubs

*Community Charity groups



4. What are some examples of good leading (students, classroom, teachers, support staff, parents, community, etc.)? What challenges have you observed or experienced in these leadership roles?

*Involving community: literacy, math, science nights, carnivals, enlisting community help,

*Supporting the needs of the school & community

*Reflecting

*Assisting teachers with implementation of mandates

*Doing & thinking about what is best for children

*Drawing upon teachers’ strengths

*Strong classroom management

*Respect

*Challenging students

*Allowing students to ask questions

*Community Performances

*Being above reproach morally

*Keeping peace

*Positive role model

*Volunteering for the school & community

*Upper management supporting teachers



5. What inspires and/or encourages you to lead? Are there any specific experiences that have inspired/encouraged you?

*Learning

*Sharing knowledge

*A contributed idea being used and implemented

*Hearing or offering information outside the box

*Positive impact on students & community

*Mentoring

*Quality Professional Development

*Teaching other adults: speed-reading, literature circles, pottery, etc.

*Seeing things get done

*Being in control

*Seeing others succeed

*Being challenged

*”A-ha” moments

*Helping others

*Gaining confidence

*Having a good reputation

*Giving & receiving positive feedback



6. What hinders you from leading? Can you describe any experiences where you were hindered from leading?

*Having all the ideas

*People assuming others will do it

*Time

*Lack of acceptance

*Assumptions

*Strong personalities

*Inexperience

*Youngness

*Veteran teachers stuck in their ways

*Not working collaboratively

*Monotonous leadership roles



7. Why did you become a teacher or become involved with the school system?

*Love for kids

*Love of learning

*Varied experiences

*Inspired by a subject or past teacher

*Did not like previous career

*To have a positive & meaningful impact on children

*Rewarding

*Love meeting new people

*Teaching children life skills to be better members of society

*Days off

*Creative outlet

*Way to share ideas

*Always wanted to do it



8. How would you define "school culture"? How important is school culture in creating an effective learning environment? What factors affect school culture negatively and positively?

*Belief in students

*The attitude of the teachers, staff, students, & community.

*Pride in the school

*Respect in the school

*”Type” of students, teachers, & community

*Atmosphere

*Aesthetic

*Comfort

*Safety, security, & happiness of school

*Getting along together

*School “vibe”

*Common goal

*Communication



9. What advice would you give teachers (or other members of the school community) who want to become more involved in teacher leadership? How might you inspire them?

*Start small

*Being the voice of those who can’t be heard

*Self-assessment of one’s gifts & how one could best serve

*Focusing on rewards & positives

*Showing teachers they make a difference

*Revisit times of excellent leadership & how that affected the school positively

*Affirmation that teaching is hard work

*Love what you do

*Don’t complain/vent in inappropriate company

*Be the change you want to see

*Be involved

*Be outspoken

*Start committees where you see need

*Don’t be afraid



10. How does the administration at your school affect teacher leadership?

*They have to ability to implement or hold back teacher ideas

*They facilitate new ideas

*They encourage or inhibit teacher leadership

*They can provide opportunities for teacher leadership

*They are responsible for unifying or unraveling a school

*Set the tone for the school, morale, & culture

*The administration cause the school to be positive or negative



11. How do you deal with negativity at your school?

*Listening

*Finding solutions

*Ignoring it

*Validating legitimate concerns

*Stay out of it

*Look past it

*Smile

*Establishing a core group of friends

*Vent when necessary to the right ears

*Keeping a file with positive notes and emails to read

*Making positive phone calls home



12. How do balance your personal and professional responsibilities?

*Keep work at work

*Wise time management

*Inviting friends & family to attend school events

*Keeping personal your first priority

*Enlist family’s help

*Reaching an understanding with spouse

*Keep professional/personal life separate

*Going to work early to get things done

*Work hard & play hard

*Relaxing

*Enjoying hobbies

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