Teacher Leadership

Ed Week recently featured an article called "Why We Need Teacher Leadership" by Doyle Nicholson, in which Mr. Nicholson outlines the need and potential of teachers taking (or making) an active hybrid role for themselves as part-time teacher and part-time leader. I think such a collaboration is a fantastic idea, especially in the current climate of funding pressure. 


The potential benefits of this that struck me are:

• Helping to bridge the "us v. them" divide that recently has become prevalent as districts struggle to cut budgets. If there are educators who are working in both areas, then they will be able to see both sides of the issues, which could lead to less "teacher v. administration" and more cooperation. In turn the perception of fairness could increase.
• Sometimes the goal of educating students means different things to different sides because of perspective. This would help to create a common goal, with all issues represented at the same time.
• The goal is educating students--without them no on would have a job. It's crazy that there are places where these two sides do not cooperate.
• They may be able to come up with fair systems of evaluation, development and support to increase teacher effectiveness.  
• Collaboration is always the best way to create solutions, because a group is generally smarter than an individual.

In order for this to work well, there has to be real commitment on both sides (and a concerted effort to leave any ego issues behind and to reorganize the union focus a little). While the politicians may still control the larger system, there is no reason not to start one school at a time. That's how we educate a nation...one student at a time!