The visits to Scotland in recent years of a number of international thought-leaders have reinforced the importance of collegiate approaches to teaching which acknowledge the role of every teacher as a leader for learning. We have seen a growing acceptance by the profession that every teacher has a responsibility for learning not just within their classroom, but within their school, and that 'educational change depends on what teachers do and think. It’s as simple and as complex as that.' (Michael Fullan, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education).
The CPD Team promote the concept of teachers as leading learners regardless of status or position within the school, and support the development of more effective teacher leaders through access to high-quality CPD. We work with our Network to consider how schools and authorities can stimulate the development of teacher leaders, and what kind of training and support teacher leaders need.
Curriculum for Excellence requires that all teachers lead change, and share their knowledge, experience and insights with colleagues within their schools and authorities. The research undertaken by the team is supported by evidence from such international experts such as Dr Terry Dozier, Director of the Centre for Teacher Leadership (CTL) at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education, and leads us to conclude that teacher leaders may have some or all of the following characteristics:
In association with Education Scotland