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Why Teachers Make Good Learning Leaders

By Learning Forward
Categories: Career pathways, Teacher leadership
October 2015
Somebody asked me recently what pushes me as a professional,” says Becky Jensen, an elementary school teacher in San Jose, California. “It started when a new principal came in several years ago and let me try new strategies. But he also set up a structure to help me think through what worked and what didn’t, and then he gave me the space to lead.” A principal’s support helped Jensen become more reflective and intentional about her teaching, which in turn led her to want to help other teachers. She began by co-facilitating her grade-level team despite being among the least experienced staff members at her school. In that role, she emphasized depth over breadth: “Rather than coming up with a whole list of strategies for

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Authors

Brian Edwards and Jesse Hinueber

Brian Edwards (bedwards@partnersinschools.org) is a research writer and Jesse Hinueber (jhinueber@partnersinschools.org) is director of program support and knowledge systems at Partners in School Innovation.

Educators interviewed for this article

Sarah Bitner

Grade-level facilitator and instructional council member

Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

Peggy Candelaria

Principal

Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

Becky Jensen

Grade-level facilitator and instructional leadership team member

San Jose, California

 

Katie Smith

Literacy coach and instructional leadership team facilitator

Chicago, Illinois

 

Lindsey Walden

Grade-level facilitator and instructional leadership team member

Battle Creek, Michigan

 

When teachers who deeply understand the needs of their students and colleagues lead professional learning in their schools, everyone benefits.


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Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.


Categories: Career pathways, Teacher leadership

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