As a member of the NJ Teacher Advisory Panel, I wondered what it would be like to try to develop a group of teacher leaders to influence change in my district. Step 1 was the ability to start the conversation with my superintendent, who really came up with the idea simultaneously with me. Step 2 was designing it: It would have to come from the teacher (aka me). And what would we seek to accomplish?! The number one goal ...more »
Principals should teach condensed summer school classes with full responsibility of attendance, electronic gradebooks, and SOL preparation. This would require the least amount of time committed to the task and give more of a sense of belonging to the school and the teaching community. Most dedicated administrators I've encountered miss the classroom. There are a few who spend hours in the classroom, especially during ...more »
At times it would be nice if struggling teachers could watch how someone else would handle a group of students (possibly a class with several special needs for differentiation or behavior modifications) because hearing how it could be done is not always very effective. There are times when it would be most effective and efficient to simply see how a master teacher could orchestrate the same class. If the master ...more »
Teachers would be given a year to take their knowledge and teach at another district as an exchange program. Incentive would be an extra stipend and paid travel expenses.
This could grow into even trading for a need like math teacher for a science professional.
See the film, share YOUR story: http://reynoldstlc.org/keepersoftheflame/ For the most effective teacher leadership, we need respect, support and trust for their mission-critical role in our children's lives. We hope this short animated poem called KEEPERS OF THE FLAME - by me and my twin brother Peter H. Reynolds through the Reynolds Center TLC - will influence the national conversation. But we rely on folks like you ...more »
I developed and have already begun to implement this model of Professional Practice in my school where myself and the other National Board Certified Teachers who work in my school combine forces as a cohort to help other teachers in our school achieve National Board Certification. In this pyramid-style model, teachers on our staff who have already achieved NB certification, provide support to a cohort of teachers who ...more »
Materials published and disseminated by Network Team Institute (NTI) regarding teacher training and data-driven best practices, EngageNY and teacher effectiveness aligned with the goals of the Common Core, and Uncommon Schools and increasing rigor toward data-driven instruction each provide models, framework, materials, and in some cases, training and professional development for teachers in their respective geographic ...more »
Hybrid teaching positions retain effective teachers in classroom positions, while providing them leadership opportunities, and keeping them from succumbing to burnout in high-poverty situations. When teachers leaders leave the classroom they sometimes lose the immediate teacher perspective, as well as credibility among teachers who are "in the trenches." Hybrid teachers retain their teacher perspective and can advocate ...more »
Effective teachers are the foundation of education. This proposal addresses chronic issues with alternative routes to teaching: poor induction methods into the profession, difficulty connecting academic certification requirements with real-life classroom challenges, and difficult school placements. This strategy enables a district to recruit, train, and retain highly capable new teachers. Instead of alternative-certification ...more »
Would you like to be a part of a profession that empowers their workforce and honors the expertise that is embedded throughout every school in the USA? If so, consider becoming engaged in Teacher Lab! Teacher Lab learning is complementary, synergistic, and meaningfully embedded. By utilizing and reflectively engaging with the expertise of the 'teacher next door", educators will be a part of continuous professional learning ...more »
The US Dept. of Ed should request that districts' and states' Boards of Education have a Teacher Ambassador Fellows program similar to the federal program as a teacher leadership career path for those interested in shaping educational policies. Fellows would represent their colleagues at local and state boards of education. Selected fellows would engage in a dialogue with local and state legislators over their initiatives. ...more »
Appalachia has many advantages in commitment and culture that we may harness in preparing our youth for success in and outside of our communities. Our teachers are just the people to lead this endeavor. This project will prepare teachers to successfully leverage the ideas and enthusiasm of students, parents, guidance counselors, administrators, businesses, and teachers in rural, Appalachian communities to create college ...more »