Important Learnings So Far

Vision

1. Teacher leadership must be based on a clear conceptual framework 

2. "Executives manage the rudder"

3. "High performing organizations are nothing more than a set of concentric high performing teams"

4. Students are the main priority 

5. Teacher autonomy is understood in conjunction with accountability to the school and students, the profession, colleagues, parents, and provincial teaching standards

6. Interviewers were told about cross-role leadership contributions by senior administrators, teachers, and staff

7. Administrators are "keen to support"

8. The school has a strong distributive leadership model

9. The strategic plan provides the important basis for a common vision

Strong Morale

10. High levels of professionalism were expressed by interviewees

11. A strong positive morale is evident

12. Interviewees described a culture of interdependence

13. Dream Big emerged as a cultural norm

14. Teacher leaders' passion for their work is widely supported

15. There is a pervasive sense of optimism and hope

16. The school culture supports teacher leaders and teacher leaders shape the culture

17. It is "safe to try"

18. Working at the school is conducive to professional growth

19. It is safe to "put yourself out there"

Opportunities to Lead

20. The school provides a plethora of opportunities for teachers to lead

21. People need to learn how to collaborate, and collaboration is taught and modeled at Cypress School

Career Stage

22. New teacher mentoring is a frequently mentioned strength

23. A balanced perspective exists relative to early-career teachers and experienced teachers as teacher leaders

24. Degrees are important but not enough

25. Pre-service teacher education is a place to start learning about teacher leadership

26. "You don't have to do everything"

27. There is difference between authentic teacher leadership and "climbing the ladder"

28. Sports participation and coaching are valuable venues for learning about teacher leadership

Awareness of Challenges

29. There is a healthy awareness of the challenges and tensions related to teacher leadership and work group dynamics

30. Being a teacher leader can risk or at least change previous professional relationships