This qualitative study used naturalistic inquiry methodology to study the impact that teacher leadership has on school effectiveness. Two suburban high schools were chosen for this study. Both of these schools had been rated as exemplary in 2002 by the Texas Education Agency. Interviews, observations, and surveys were used to obtain data. Through these, seven categories emerged that were used to create a written description of teacher leadership on the campuses. Teacher leadership in the past, teacher leadership roles, teacher leadership enablers, teacher leadership restraints, products of teacher leadership, teacher leadership in the present, and the role of the principal emerged when the data were analyzed. The findings indicated that when teacher leadership played a role on these campuses there was an expectation by school administrators that teachers would be leaders. Principals on both campuses had a vision of student success. Communication between school administrators and teacher leaders was strong. Overall, the role of the principal had a powerful impact on teacher leadership and consequently school effectiveness. Teacher leadership being fostered and supported was in large part due to the efforts of the principal. Recommendations for practice suggest that a) district level personnel need to work from a definition of school leadership that includes teachers when they hire campus principals, b) principals must take intentional steps to actively encourage teacher leadership, c) principals must clearly understand the amount of effort collaborative leadership demands of them, d) principals should seek out evidence that teacher leadership is impacting the school, and e) principals should consider what resources need to be allocated to foster and sustain teacher leadership on campus.

To support the professional knowledge development of all teachers, schools in North America have implemented teacher-leader roles (Angelle & DeHart, 2011; Fullan, 2003; Leithwood, Harris, & Hopkins, 2008). The effectiveness of developing professional knowledge depends upon numerous variables such as school culture, collaborative environments, resources, and organizational paradigms. It follows, then, that understanding what influences teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership can determine best practices of implementing teacher-leader roles within schools and across school divisions. The literature reviewed in this study falls into four main categories: School culture, Distributed Leadership as Teacher-Leadership, Teacher-Leader Roles, and Teachers’ Perceptions of Teacher-Leadership. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to investigate high school teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership. Research, using a quantitative instrument, focused on conducting an inquiry into teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership and what influences teachers’ perceptions. The study investigated the differences in perceptions according to these specific considerations: attained education level, teaching experience, formal teacher-leader roles, and gender. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the differences in high-school teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership within the context of one Saskatchewan urban school division according to educators’ attained education level, teaching experience, formal teacher-leader roles, and gender. To that end, the study investigated teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership based on four factors of teacher-leadership: supra-practitioner, sharing expertise, sharing leadership, and principal selection (Angelle & DeHart, 2011). Moreover, the following research questions previously referred to helped sharpen the focus of the study: 1. What are the differences in teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership according to different degree levels attained? 2. What are the differences in teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership according to varying teaching experience? 3. What are the differences in teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership according to teachers who occupy formal teacher-leader roles compared to those who do not occupy formal teacher-leader roles? 4. What are the differences in teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership according to gender? This study used a quantitative methodology to examine high school teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership through Angelle and DeHart’s (2012) Teacher Leadership Inventory resulting in empirical evidence collected via one-way between-groups ANOVA- the results of which provided both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics indicated the spread of scores through variance, standard deviation, and range while describing independent and dependent variables (Creswell, 2012). Inferential statistics helped to “compare groups or related two or more variables” (p. 187). Independent variable of the study included; degree level attainment, years of teaching experience, occupying a position of formal teacher-leadership, and gender. Furthermore, the dependent variables included Sharing Expertise, Sharing Leadership, Supra-Practitioner and Principal Selection. The findings of the data showed statistical difference in the dependent variables Sharing Expertise and Sharing Leadership. As a result of this study, implications for theory include whether the TLI needs to consider a Canadian context. In addition, implications of practice revealed in this study supported the use of the Teacher Leadership Inventory (Angelle and DeHart, 2012) as a possible screening instrument for teachers’ perceptions of teacher-leadership. Finally, implications for further research; this is the second study to use the Teacher Leadership Inventory, as such, it will be beneficial to use the TLI in more applications to collect additional data and to identify norms for the instrument.

This interpretive study explored how Saudi Arabian nationals employed as English-language teachers within intermediate and secondary Saudi schools understand the concept of teacher leadership, and how they perceive themselves as teacher leaders. The study also explored teachers’ views of current factors that empower or disempower them in being teacher leaders, as well as the roles and support they desire. The research used an exploratory design methodology encompassing three qualitative research methods: focus groups, one-to-one semi-structured interviews and reflective essays. The participants included nine Saudi English-language teachers from intermediate and secondary public schools. Participants were able to define teacher leadership in relation to: practices inside the classroom, practices outside the classroom and teacher knowledge and professionalism. The participants also perceived themselves as teacher leaders with potential professional capital that would allow them to engage and participate professionally in their school community of practice. The data revealed that teacher leadership is not the general practice in Saudi public schools; however, participants reported practices of teacher leadership that they desired and aspired to. The study also reported the many barriers to teacher leadership that currently exist, such as lack of teacher leadership roles, lack of support from the heavily centralised educational hierarchy, insufficient and inadequate pre-service and in-service training, and lack of voice in decision-making processes. Despite these barriers, the participants were eager to act in teacher leadership roles because they believe these roles carry benefits for themselves, their colleagues, headteachers, curricula and students. Based on the data obtained in the research, the study proposed a model for “professional teacher leadership” that supports teacher leaders as professionals who have professional capital to work with professional agency and autonomy in a positive atmosphere of communities of practice. This model could have benefits if applied in the context of Saudi Arabia and would be transferrable to similar contexts globally. The study concluded with some theoretical and practical recommendations for the Ministry of Education and for teachers in regards to teacher leadership within Saudi Arabia. Through teacher perception and reported experiences, TESOL teachers can challenge policy and provide a basis for developing new ways emerging from them in the context, as in-depth perspectives can give a voice to participants. Based on the literature reviewed and the design of the current research with its underpinning theoretical and conceptual frameworks, additional pathways are suggested for future research.

This study looks at the current situation of how teachers view the concepts of teacher professionalism and teacher leadership in New Zealand primary schools. It is a small scale study located in two large city primary schools, where it was identified by others in the profession that sharing of leadership was a common practice, and that they were high performing schools. I was interested in gathering the information from teachers with a range of teaching experience, and finding out what were the common understandings surrounding these concepts. The literature reviewed shows there is an international focus on developing leadership capacity within schools. It is argued that in order to sustain the development of schools in such complex times while remaining focused on the core business of the learning of the students, leadership is an activity that all teachers should be involved in, as it is a recognized component for improving the professional role of the teacher. The study was carried out by interviewing twelve teachers who had a range of experience and held a range of leadership positions from beginning teachers through to deputy principals. The findings showed the teachers in this study understood there is a close link between their leadership and their professionalism and that one reinforced the other. The teachers were empowered to take their professional development to new heights as the school culture reinforced the collective responsibility the teachers had for school development.

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the relationship between teachers’ perceptions of leadership capabilities and teachers’ efficacy beliefs in the context of their participation in a technology integration project. Participants included seventeen elementary school teachers and seven administrators in a school district located in the southwestern United States. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were utilized over the course of the three and a half year project. Bandura’s (1997) social cognitive theory served as the framework for defining self-efficacy and explaining the potential influences of empowerment on teacher efficacy. Since the goal was to understand and describe the relationship between participation in the district project and the teachers’ efficacy beliefs, a qualitative research approach was chosen. Descriptive information related to teachers’ experiences and perceptions were gathered through observations of team meetings and interviews with teachers and administrators. All of the notes from the interviews and observations were transcribed using the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis. Quantitative analyses were conducted to investigate the fluctuation of teacher efficacy over the course of the project. Teacher efficacy was measured at three points: prior to participation, at the end of the planning stage and after implementation of the technology in the classrooms. Qualitative results indicated that participation in the technology integration project did not have a positive effect on teachers’ perceptions of their leadership capabilities. Interview data included multiple reports of teachers’ negative feelings of empowerment and leadership opportunities. Four of the seven administrators supported the teachers’ position that leadership was not developed. Three of the administrators felt that leadership was developed but no support was provided for their assertion. Quantitative results found no statistical difference in general teaching efficacy. An increase in personal teaching efficacy was evident between the second and third administrations of the TES. The qualitative data provided an explanation for this increase. The qualitative data revealed that the addition of new technology tools allowed these teachers to develop new teaching methods. This in turn allowed the TIP teachers to reach more students which led to an increase in personal teacher efficacy.

This research study explores the issue of teacher leadership in South-East Queensland Anglican schools. An initial exploration of the context of Anglican education in South-East Queensland confirmed that both nationally and within the Anglican system, hierarchical understandings of school leadership were being challenged amidst a growing expectation of teacher leadership. However, despite this expectation of teacher leadership, there was little in respect to formal policy and resource support for teacher leadership within South-East Queensland Anglican schools. This research study seeks to gain a more informed and sophisticated understanding of teacher leadership, with particular focus on the perspective of classroom teachers. A comprehensive analysis of key literature in educational change, professionalism in education and educational leadership, revealed a number of key insights that informed this study. Significant socio-economic change in recent decades has brought about corresponding educational change. This has resulted in a call for greater professionalism in education and a new paradigm of educational leadership. Within this context, there is new interest in distributing leadership beyond the formal role of the principal and into the hands of teacher leaders. However, a further review of the literature highlighted the lack of a clear conceptualisation of teacher leadership. While teacher leadership is predominantly considered in the literature as the domain of those in formal, positional roles, less is known about informal, in-class teacher leadership. Based on these insights, the researcher identified one major research question: How do teachers, who are recognised as teacher leaders in South-East Queensland Anglican schools, conceptualise teacher leadership? To answer this research question, four research sub-questions were posed: Behaviour of teacher leaders - What do they do? Purpose of teacher leadership - Why do teachers strive for this? Feelings of teacher leaders - How do they feel about what they do? Support for teacher leaders - What do they need? This research study is situated within the theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism. As both a perspective and a method, symbolic interactionism is situated within a pragmatic constructivist research paradigm. This research study explored a restricted group of 16 teachers within three South-East Queensland Anglican schools, and employed qualitative research methods including Experience Sampling Method and focus group interviews. The findings of this research study suggest that teacher leaders in South-East Queensland Anglican schools have a confused conceptualisation of teacher leadership, with little common symbolic language to delineate the phenomenon. This study made the following conclusions in relation to teacher leadership in South-East Queensland Anglican schools: The broad understanding of teacher leadership is unrecognised in the field of education. Teacher leadership is a complex phenomenon. Teacher leadership is principled action in support of learning. There is untapped potential for teacher leaders to act as change agents in school revitalisation. Collegial relationships, the provision of time, relevant professional development and administrative support enable teacher leadership There is a need for a role-making policy to support teacher leadership. The development of teacher leadership in South-East Queensland Anglican schools requires support from the Anglican Schools Commission, school principals and the teachers themselves, through deliberate action in developing appropriate policy and practice.

Over the years, the landscape of educational leadership has evolved, but with a continued focus on leadership in relation to an official title or role. While it used to be practical for schools and districts to rely on the leadership of a single leader, times have changed and leadership has become more complex; the dependence on a single leader has become unrealistic. In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on teacher leadership in general and teacher leadership in the context of leadership teams in particular. The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to better understand teacher leader identity within the context of a leadership team by examining the narratives of teacher leaders participating on a team as well as narratives from other team members. Specifically, this study examined: 1) How are teacher leader identities narrated? and 2) How do teacher leaders come to see themselves as leaders? Four teacher leaders and four team members from a PBIS Team were interviewed, and four team meetings and one staff meeting were observed. Transcripts and field notes were analyzed to compose the identity narratives of each teacher leader, and to understand the context and influential factors. Findings indicate that teacher leaders had leadership identities that were a part of their teacher identities but different from their classroom identities and also had passion for creating positive school climates. Additionally, the district and school contexts and the role of the principal influenced teacher leader involvement, development, and leadership practice.

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ABSTRACT TEACHERS’ AND TEACHER LEADERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE FORMAL ROLE OF TEACHER LEADERSHIP by Jerry Kelley The accountability and responsibilities of schools have intensified greatly over the past two decades and school improvement has become a strong focus of many schools, thus requiring a greater understanding and use of formal teacher leadership if schools are to meet high standards. This research studied teachers’ and teacher leaders’ beliefs concerning the formal role of teacher leadership in three elementary schools. A qualitative study was conducted, utilizing surveys and interviews to collect data concerning teachers’ and teacher leaders’ perceptions of the formal role of teacher leadership. All teachers at three elementary schools were invited to complete an electronic survey and nominate teachers they believed were formal teacher leaders. Nominated teachers meeting the study’s criteria as a formal teacher leader were invited to complete a self-administered teacher leader self-assessment survey. Based on the results from the surveys, nine teachers, three from each school, were invited to participate in an interview process with the researcher. Analysis of all data collected throughout the study suggests that even though formal teacher leadership is valued by most teachers, there exists a disconnect between teachers’ and teacher leaders’ beliefs of what formal teacher leadership should look like ideally in their schools versus their perceived reality of formal teacher leadership. Areas such as collaboration, recognition, and understanding of the formal role of teacher leadership, as well as policies that affects these areas were all found to hold discrepancies in these schools.

The challenges of school accountability call for new models of school leadership. Teacher leaders are needed to create, implement, and sustain reform efforts. This study investigated whether a specific model of professional development, National Board Certification (NBC), can create sustained change aimed at improved school leadership. The research question which guided this study was: Does the National Board Certification professional development model contribute to school leadership in Louisiana? The state of Louisiana currently has approximately 1,000 teachers with National Board Certification (NBPTS, 2006f). These NBC teachers and approximately 3,000 non-NBC teachers received the online School Leadership Survey, which included survey items taken from a previous study of NBC teachers by Sykes, et al. (2006). A total of 449 NBC teachers and 911 non-NBC teachers responded. The survey included 32 checklist items which explored teacher leadership activities and perceptions in five main areas: types of leadership activities, sense of responsibility to the profession, influence in school-wide policy development, career satisfaction, and future commitment to the teaching profession. A quantitative research design was applied. The research followed an ex post facto, cross-sectional survey model in an attempt to identify a relationship between the independent variable, National Board Certification, and the dependent variable, school leadership, by comparing the leadership activities of NBC and non-NBC teachers. Univariate analysis was used to examine and report the results of the School Leadership Survey. Additionally, the data were used to calculate independent t-tests, factor analysis, chi square tests, and regression analysis.The results of this study revealed that, overall, National Board Certification teachers are leaders in their schools and beyond. When compared to their non-NBC peers, NBC teachers were more likely to be involved in leadership activities at the school, district, and state level. Further, the NBC teachers reported a greater sense of responsibility to the profession, greater career satisfaction, and a deeper commitment to stay in the teaching profession than non-NBC teachers. Using a distributed leadership conceptual framework as a lens to guide the interpretation, the data collected gave evidence that the benefits of National Board Certification are far greater than previously suspected.