The Impact of Teacher Leaders - Softcover

Strike, Kimberly

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1475827881 ISBN 13: 9781475827880

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 2019

Synopsis

The Impact of Teacher Leaders: Case Studies from the Field is designed to celebrate, spotlight, teach, inspire and encourage. First and foremost, the authors wish to celebrate the accomplishments and dedication of teacher leaders. Research clearly shows that teachers have the greatest impact on student achievement. It is also evident that teacher leaders are the bridge between their colleagues in the classrooms, and administrators and parents. Initiatives can be driven, impaired or abandoned based on the support and involvement from teacher leaders.

Teacher leadership is critical in all schools. For this reason, the authors spotlighted cases from coast to coast in the United States, along with some international examples. In an era when teacher preparation programs have decreased in numbers, statistics are showing that those who successfully complete those programs are not remaining in the field, and veteran teachers are leaving in record numbers, it is important to spotlight the success of teachers through their leadership roles in very different school contexts.

Case studies are an important tool in qualitative research as they provide examples of implementation; examples of relationships between theory and practice; allow close examination of people and contextual situations; allow data collection and analysis, and allows for further study of people, groups, events, reasons and questions. Case studies utilize a variety of sources and use different methods.

For the purposes of this companion publication, purposeful selection spotlighted 24 case studies where the authors interviewed teachers to collect and write narratives about their teacher leadership roles, often focusing on a specific leadership experience. All participating teachers were under a teacher contract at the time of the teacher leadership case study experience and were leading at the building or district level.

About this title

About the Author

Kimberly T Strike, PhD is Professor of Education and Coordinator of Doctoral Studies at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. She has served public, parochial, choice and charter schools from PreK through the Doctoral level.
Janis C. Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. is Executive Director of the Urban Education Laboratory at North Central College serving youth and their families while preparing teacher and leader candidates for over thirty years. She also directs a unique partnership of colleges and universities who collaborate to recruit, prepare and support great teachers and leaders for schools that need them most!
Debra K. Meyer, Ph.D., is a Professor of Education and the Genevieve Staudt Endowed Chair at Elmhurst College, where she teaches in undergraduate teacher preparation and the master’s program in teacher leadership.

Review

The Impact of Teacher Leaders: Case Studies from the Field is an insightful resource showing what is taking place in classrooms across the world. It offers authentic stories of Teacher Leadership visions, challenges, and, most importantly, their own stories of developing as Leaders themselves to meet the education needs of their students. This companion to Identifying and Growing Internal Leaders: A Framework for Effective Teacher Leadership (2019) speaks to the heart of Teacher Leadership while it engages and supports the development of future Teacher Leaders. (Amanda Trimillos, EdD, NBCT, National University NBC Leadership Center, U.S. Department of Ed Teach to Lead Mentor/Critical Friend)

Strike, Fitzsimmons, and Meyer poignantly present 24 elemental case studies that provide insight into the hallmarks of professional collaboration and mutual respect; and meld their connection with critical thinking, problem solving and humanistic leadership. The case studies provide opportunities for personal introspection and reflection on authentic practices that transforms the profession from the leader-follower paradigm to one of collective leadership. (R. Keith East, PhD, Coordinator of Graduate Field Studies, Southern Wesleyan University)

The Impact of Teacher Leaders: Case Studies from the Field is a book that shares a proven framework and encourages growing capacity in others. It is a research driven book that will focus individuals in being the leader they want to be. The 24 case studies derived from across the country will show you what leadership looks like. This is a book for every teacher leader in a school setting. (Darylann Whitemarsh, PhD, Concordia University: Portland)

The Impact of Teacher Leaders: Case Studies from the Field reminds teacher leaders to live in the now. As a teacher leader it inspires me to take a leap of faith and to be more innovative as I work to build a more collaborate vision with my students and colleagues. The reflective questions and examples of the teacher domains is a brilliant way to engage leaders in the reflective process, not only with the case studies presented, but within their own practice. (Amber Gresham, Teacher, Columbus, OH (Columbus City School's District))

Edition details

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1475827881
• ISBN 13: 9781475827880
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 194