The Education Department announced a new opportunity to advance teacher leadership. But, for it to succeed, The Department needs your voice to be a part of it.
Commit to Lead is a public, online community that directly engages teachers and other educators in defining what teacher leadership can and should be in their communities. The intention is that teacher leadership will become part of the fabric and culture of every school. This initiative builds on the great work that already exists in the field, and invites the creation of new ideas.
Since day one on the job, many teachers have shared with Education Secretary Arne Duncan an overwhelming desire to excel in the profession, lead others, and to have a stronger voice. Too often, great teachers leave the classroom because they lack avenues to exercise their leadership – and that’s a loss for our students, our schools, and the profession. As the Education Department heard this common refrain from teachers, Secretary Duncan thought it was critical to respond. In the midst of dramatic change in education, education leaders need to give teachers genuine opportunities to be leaders without leaving their classrooms.
To promote and accelerate opportunities for teachers to lead without leaving the classroom, the Education Department announced Teach to Lead. This initiative builds on years of work to elevate the teaching profession, particularly through the RESPECT effort, and on the leadership of the Teacher and Principal Ambassador Fellows, who advise the Department on key decisions and represent the Department externally. Together with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the Education Department launched Teach to Lead to advance student outcomes through expanding opportunities for teacher leadership. And, to achieve this vision, the Education Department and its partners committed to identify, spotlight, and support promising models for teacher leadership across the country.
The shape of teacher leadership should not be dictated from outside the profession, it should be decided and shaped by teachers themselves, in partnership with principals and other educators. So, join in the conversation and let the Education Department know your ideas for advancing the teaching profession.
For more information, please visit: http://teachtolead.org/
