Teacher Leader Stories: The Power of Case Methods

Empower teacher leaders through the power of case study

Many teachers desire―but have a hard time obtaining―the training and support they need to lead others and expand their circle of influence. Like having a conversation with a successful teacher leader, this practical guide will help teachers strengthen their leadership skills, optimize student learning, and enhance the profession. Research confirms that the best way to become an effective teacher leader is through case study, and this book provides:

• 16 compelling case studies that cover a broad range of leadership experiences
• Explicit guidance on using case writing and case analysis to enrich teachers′ professional learning
• A facilitator′s guide with discussion questions for each case study

The people and events in these cases are real, and these relatable stories cover a variety of leadership dilemmas from diverse settings. Written in compelling and straightforward language, Teacher Leader Stories is most beneficial to staff development professionals and aspiring teacher leaders seeking the rich, substantive professional learning experience they need to become successful.

Judy Swanson leads a not-for-profit research and evaluation firm, Research for Quality Schools, in Seattle, WA. For 20 years she has conducted research in urban schools throughout the US. Her expertise and recent research has focused on teacher leadership, professional development for instructional improvement, and teacher development at all stages of a teacher′s career. She has worked with CSTP to develop and facilitate case writing retreats for teacher leaders since 2003. Swanson received her PhD in educational psychology at Stanford University.

For 19 years, Kimberly Elliott has written about P–16 education reform issues, raised funds to support innovative health and education projects, and developed curriculum materials. As The Word Mechanic, she currently helps clients such as The Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP), Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) create resources that promote changes in teacher practice and in educational systems to enhance student learning. She began her career at Wheelock College, where she helped advance the professional and leadership development of early childhood teachers. She has special expertise in writing for the Web and has contributed to online learning environments such as EDC’s Success at the Core leadership development website. A published author, she produces training guides, reports, articles, policy briefs, and white papers for early childhood educators, educators, and policy-makers and has edited books published by Jossey-Bass, Rowman-Littlefield, and Heinemann.

Jeanne Harmon is the founding Executive Director for the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, an independent nonprofit organization focused on improving teaching quality in Washington State. Before launching CSTP in 2003, she managed the public-private partnership that created Washington’s statewide system of support for National Board Certification. CSTP develops leadership skills and promotes leadership opportunities for the state’s 5200 National Board Certified Teachers as well as hundreds of mentors and instructional coaches and other accomplished teachers across Washington. Previously, Jeanne taught elementary and middle school in Central Kitsap School District (Silverdale, WA), directed technology and professional development efforts there, and spent five years in the Northeast coordinating services to a network of 70 schools committed to math and science reform.