When I was in undergraduate courses, I remember taking classes on “teacher leadership” and being pretty unimpressed with how bland and theoretical it all seemed.

Sure, great schools will be places where teachers are empowering, encouraging professionals who work together to chase after the big problems we got into this gig to solve.

But how do we actually empower teachers to become leaders? How do we demystify teacher leadership and make it something real, earthy, and tangible?

Strategic Impact, Starting Now

To me, teacher leadership is about impact. And, in the setting of schools, I think impact is all aimed at one thing: promoting the long-term flourishing of students.

And to impact as many students as possible, I think there are three strategic areas teachers need to focus on:

Modules designed to unpack the three levels of strategic impact with your staff

Here's how I'm currently packaging these trainings.

Module 1: The You Level — Jedi Mind Tricks for Becoming a Teacher of Impact

Too often, we forget that from who we are will flow our teaching. In this session, we unpack the key “mind tricks” for making sure we keep our head in the game without losing our heads or selling out.

Key objectives:

• I can explain how to separate my personal identity from my job performance, thus allowing me to objectively view the work I do in the classroom and the areas in which I need to improve.
• I can embrace failure as a key tool for my professional development.
• I can acknowledge that being well-liked with students is useful, but it is not where I get my sense of self-worth from.
• I am able to analyze my character and determine where I need to grow.
• I am able to avoid leadership pitfalls like workaholism, externalism, gossip, jealousy, and insecurity.

Module 2: The Classroom Level, Pt 1 — Classroom Management

A well-managed classroom allows students maximum opportunities to grow each day. I have a three-pronged approach to classroom management: consistency, relationships, and awesomeness.

Key objectives:

• I have developed a simple, smart classroom management policy, and I am ready to enforce it with robotic consistency for the good of my students.
• I know and can use key, simple strategies for developing authentic relationships with each of my students.
• I have brainstormed how to build a classroom in which excellence and awesomeness are core parts of who we are as a class.

Module 3: The Classroom Level, Pt 2 — Academics

Academics are taken seriously in a teacher leader's room. This session deals with how to develop a place in which students work hard to meet high expectations while  building a sense of camaraderie through shared struggles and challenges.

Key objectives:

• I can communicate to my students why academics are critical for life success.
• I have brainstormed and rehearsed methods for engaging my students with rigorous, cognitively demanding work.

Module 4: The Classroom Level, Pt 3 — Character Strengths

A growing body of (under-implemented) research is showing that academic intelligence alone is inadequate for preparing students to overcome challenges and excel in college or career settings. These highly-predictive character strengths help students dominate life.

Key objectives:

• I can teach and cultivate Dweck’s growth mindset in my students, particularly by focusing on brain research and anecdotes.
• I can leverage growth mindset to help my students develop highly-predictive non-cognitive skills; this helps with both the increased challenge of Common Core and their long-term life outcomes.
• I understand and can plan for rolling out and infusing non-cognitive skill instruction into my daily lessons.

Module 5: The School/Community/Beyond Level, Pt 1 — Teachers, Admins, Support Staff, and Parents

If we choose the “shut your door and do your job” strategy, we will definitely avoid some of the pitfalls that come with venturing to team up with people outside our classroom walls. But we'll also drastically reduce our scope of impact and risk losing touch with the reality.

Key objectives:

• I know how to develop positive relationships with a variety of colleague types.
• I know how to maintain an appropriate, positive relationship with my administrators while maintaining my integrity.
• I am able to develop a team-like relationship with parents.

Module 6: The School/Community/Beyond Level, Pt 2 — Extending Your Impact Outside of Your Community through Speaking and Writing

I've developed a writing/speaking-for-teachers life the new-fashioned way: through blogging and networking online. This session pulls back the curtain on high-bang-for-your-buck methods for extending your reach outside your building.

Key objectives:

• I know what “little steps,” if carried out consistently, will enable me to build an audience of like-minded friends.
• I have developed a long-term vision for my work with teachers outside of my building.

This is unique material…

Honestly, I came up with this material through years of thinking deeply about what it takes to be a teacher who authentically influences others. I've read dozens of books on teaching and deeply internalized the thinking of several key educators whom I dearly respect.

I owe a large part of this work to the hundreds of teachers who have heard me talk on various parts of it in workshops and keynote sessions. You'll see some of their feedback below — I hope it's helpful.

…and I can deliver it in a variety of ways

While it's best to have me work with your teachers in person, I understand that PD budgets are shrinking in many states, and that most PD dollars are being spent on things like Common Core implementation.

Yet I so believe in this material's usefulness for your staff that I am willing to provide it in a variety of ways.

If you'd like to speak with me about how these trainings could be delivered through cost-effective webinars, click the button below.

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Here's what past participants have said about these trainings

 Dave is a terrific presenter and speaks in a humble and serious way. Thank you for addressing parent, administrator, and teacher-to-teacher communications since these are topics rarely covered in education courses.

 

I really appreciated the way that you integrated personal experiences into the session. The quote “Every yes that you say decreases the quality of all other yes commitments” really resonated with me. The concrete examples/suggestions were helpful.

 

It gave practical ideas to use in the class as well as life outside of school. I think it affirmed that the fears many of us have, others have as well. This shows we are not bad people or bad at our jobs. Things just get tough.

 

I really liked that you said to set time limits for work. I have always heard to spend all my time planning and teaching. I like that it is ok to stop teaching and enjoy life. I agree that family is top priority and I’m glad to finally hear that it is okay. Thank you for your time and effort. I slowly feel myself leading to burn out and your seminar has helped. Thank you!

Okay, enough with the glowing testimonials! You're hired, Dave.

[button link=”http://davestuartjr.com/contact-dave/” color=”silver”]Sweet. Let's do this.[/button]