5.1. "TEN ROLES FOR TEACHER LEADERS" : THE 4CS

In this article, ten roles for teacher leaders are identified:

1. Resource provider
2. Instructional specialist
3. Curriculum specialist
4. Classroom supporter
5. Learning facilitator
6. Mentor
7. School leader
8. Data coach
9. Catalyst for change
10. Learner

We will use the 4Cs strategy to reflect about the reading:

CONNECTIONS	CHALLENGES
I really liked this reading as it made me think about my own concept of leadership. I have realised that if we take into account these different roles that teacher leaders can adopt, we may identify many more leaders around us than we would ever have imagined. Also, I had thought about the word “catalyst” before and I really think it is key in leadership as it makes reference to events or people that cause great change. The author mentions as well the figure of “mentor” which I connected with “coach”. I have also thought that great school leaders should have coaching techniques in order to help students and teachers solve problems and overcome obstacles. When you are able to work hard and focus all your efforts in looking for a better way to do things, you may probably be recognised as an effective leader.	I completely agree with the ideas presented in this reading although maybe I would have liked if the author had focused more on which roles have to do with students, as most of the references are for action and leadership between teachers within school teams. I think it is also important to know how to adopt several roles to help students better achieve their learning goals and understand how the world works. School leadership includes learners, teachers, parents and other members of the school community.
CONCEPTS	CHANGES
“The way teachers can lead are as varied as teachers themselves”. This text provides us with ten different ideas of roles that teachers leaders can adopt in their schools, which are ten concepts that we should have in mind. They involve skills, attitudes and knowledge. Teacher leaders can be resource providers, instructional and curriculum specialists (in planning, assessing, teaching, sharing their findings), classroom supporters (helping other teachers and consulting), learning facilitators, mentor (takes time and expertise), school leaders, data coaches, catalysts for change and learner (life-long learning is essential).	I think this reading invites educators to adopt these roles as far as possible and implement this type of practices in their classrooms and school communities. It does not mean that all teachers need to do all these things in order to be considered as good leaders, but at least we should take into account that these can be considered as “best practices” in school leadership. It made me change the way I thought about leadership. I considered more important leadership with students but I have come to realise about the importance of the roles of leaders among teachers.