What's the buzz?

The education field seems to be filled with buzz words. Differentiation. PLC. Backward design curriculum. ESL. The list goes on and on and on. A buzz word that never goes out of style in the professional world is leadership. From a very young age we are told how important it is to have leadership roles on your resume and employers strive to find those that exhibit leadership qualities. So why is it so important? What does it mean to be a teacher leader? What is the significance of teacher-leadership in technology instruction?

In my opinion, teacher leadership means that the school supports a culture of learning among the staff as well as the students. Professional development classes are useful, relevant, and consistent. Teachers are given opportunities to lead these PD meetings, and then they follow up with their colleagues to support them in new ideas taught during the meeting. Yet I believe it goes even deeper. Teachers leaders seek to help lift and build their team by finding opportunities to share experience and knowledge that will lift the school to new heights. Teacher leaders are teachable and take the advice of team members with joy. They offer up their expertise in certain areas (curriculum, management, technology, etc.) to help other teachers succeed. Schools are successful because teachers are leading and cooperating well with one another. 

It is essential for teachers that are technologically savvy to be leaders in their schools because there is such a diversity in confidence with technology. As we are gaining more knowledge about how to effectively use technology in instruction then it is our duty to teach those that don't have that same knowledge. In class when Mr Sites was discussing his pilot program at his school I was  amazed by the passion he showed for the technology. As teacher leaders we must show the same level of passion so that our colleagues will "get with the program." Technology is more than just a buzz word, but it is an innovative way to instruction, and we are accountable to lead out in this manner.