The topics covered here will fit into these three broad themes, which can happen within or across content or grade levels. It's important that teachers of all kinds find a home here at Becoming Teacher Leaders.

Sometimes it's easier to define something by what it isn't than by what it is. (Hello Frayer Model!) In this case, Becoming Teacher Leaders isn't a place to find cute printables for your classroom or ready-to-go lesson plans. Don't get me wrong--those are super helpful! Personally, I visit great places like Teachers Pay Teachers or Sheila Jane Teaching or even get sucked into the vortex of Pinterest.

"We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience." -John Dewey

Growing is not about improving one grade level, content area, lesson or activity in isolation.  Let's tap into practices that impact our professional development and effectiveness in the classroom in big ways. A key to growing as an educator is being reflective and setting goals. It's first on the mission because becoming a leader starts with your own teaching practice. Let's grow.







"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." -Helen Keller

No man is an island, but sometimes teaching feels that way. Connecting can be difficult with constraints on planning time. In the digital age, we often think we are always "connected," but don't you question how meaningfully connected we are? Connecting with each other is powerful when you are growing in your practice, so we will explore ways to carve out time for meaningful connection online and in real life. Let's connect.

"People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand." -The American President (yes, I am quoting a Michael J. Fox movie character)

The number of teachers leaving the profession is staggering. Fewer students are enrolling in teaching programs at colleges each year. As a nation, we can't refill the bucket at fast as it empties. This is why teacher leadership is so important, and you don't have to leave your classroom to do it. If you are growing and connecting as a teacher, you are already a leader. Let's help each other wear the sash of leadership proudly. Let's lead.