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What if teachers could lead without leaving the classroom—and in doing so, incubate and execute their own policy and pedagogical ideas?
In recent years, the Center for Teaching Quality has supported two dozen teacherpreneurs — expert teachers who typically have a reduced teaching load of 50% — to lead bold reforms at the school, district, state and national levels. In partnership with districts (and with philanthropic financial support), teacherpreneurs like Noah Zeichner, Ali Wright, Jessica Cuthbertson and Julie Hiltz have achieved remarkable results for students, schools and the profession.
These classroom experts have generated powerful proof points for CTQ’s bold brand of teacher leadership, documented in a series of case studies. Their experiences have also yielded “lessons learned” that we can share with others interested in this model:
Extra time yields extraordinary results.
The best teacherpreneurs “lead from the middle.
Technology keeps teacher leaders connected with the world while based in the classroom.
Relationships matter.
Blurring the lines between policy and practice makes each stronger.
When educators can teach and lead, they and their schools benefit.
Toyota had this idea many years ago - creative thinking time - what teachers have always wanted ...It actually does work!
I chose this resources because I was interested in the concept of "teacherpreneurs". The opportunity to be afforded the time to engage in policy development and leadership roles is certainly terrific. I've always felt the influence from the ground level (teachers) is seldom felt. Instead, influence remains with the research community and union organizations. Of the specific points described in this article is that "The best teacherpreneurs lead from the middle". Teachers respond to others who are dealing with the same pressures and stresses associated with teaching.
I scooped this article because more and more the topic of teacherpreneurs is coming up. I like the idea of teachers as leaders, and even helping with policies. It will be interesting to see if this expands more in the future. I hope that teachers reading this article watch this course of study/action closely and take part in it when they can, as we need more teachers to move into leadership and even into advocacy roles for education.