CF+Leading

 The unit develops educators who recognize the role teachers play as professional contributors within the school, district, and professional community. Through study of school organization and full immersion into the culture in a PDS, teacher candidates develop the dispositions needed to become teacher leaders.A teacher leader is both a teacher and a leader. Through collaboration and communication, a teacher leader increases the capacity of others to strengthen student performance and develop meaningful collaboration within the school (Lieberman, 1995). Sometimes teacher leaders assume formal roles within the school such as team leader, mentor teacher, or committee chair, but often teacher leaders serve in an informal capacity. They are recognized by their peers as valuable human resources whom one consults to resolve an instructional or interpersonal dilemma. Because of this, teacher leaders //exert a major influence on how the dynamics of the school culture evolve // (Patterson & Patterson, 2004, p. 75). In university classes, co- and extracurricular activities, and PDSs, teacher candidates are asked to examine and assume leadership roles. They are presented with opportunities to collaborate with peers, interpret data, consult research, and engage in education inquiry through projects such as the student work analysis and action research projects.
 * Teacher as Leading Professional **