Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities

Directions: For each element, rate yourself in one of the following three categories. Then provide examples of your experiences in the
leadership domain. Finally, identify areas within each domain where you are interested in growing as a teacher leader. On the last page,
summarize your strengths and areas of possible growth. Boxes will expand as needed.
 Exploring/Emerging (E/E) - a level of practice in which the teacher leader relies on ongoing assistance from more experienced
colleagues for support, guidance, and survival. The teacher leader is moving toward becoming more self-directed and independent in
her/his practice.
 Applying (A) - a level of practice in which the teacher leader is able to provide independent leadership and easily applies what
s/he has learned about leadership.
 Integrating/Innovating (I/I) - a level of development in which the teacher leader is fully skilled and confident. The
Integrating/Innovating teacher leader contributing to the broader educational community through staff development, research, or
publication in professional journals.

Domain 1: Fosters a Collaborative Culture to Support Educator Development and Student Learning E/E A I/I
a) Utilizes group processes to help colleagues work collaboratively to solve problems, make decisions,
x
manage conflict, and promote meaningful change.
b) Models effective skills in listening, presenting ideas, leading discussions, clarifying, mediating, and x
identifying the needs of self and others in order to advance shared goals and professional learning.
c) Employs facilitation skills to create trust among colleagues, develop collective wisdom, build ownership x
and action that supports student learning.
d) Strives to create an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed in addressing challenges. x

e) Uses knowledge and understanding of different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and languages to
promote effective interactions among colleagues.
Three Examples of Domain 1 Experiences
 Collaboration with curriculum coordinator to
improve practice and set goals
 Collaboration with colleagues to make join
decisions in the students’ best interest
 Share teaching successes, methodology, data, and
areas of need with colleagues in department
meetings and other PLC groups
x
Areas of Interest in Growth
I do a good job of using knowledge and understanding of
different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, languages, etc.
to promote effective interactions among colleagues, as far as
building trust and positive relationships, but I can improve
mostly in subcategory A by getting to know my co-workers’
strengths / weaknesses and personalities better in order to
help our collaborative efforts be more productive and
beneficial to student learning.

Domain 2: Accesses and Uses Research to Improve Practice and Student Learning E/E A I/I
a) Assists colleagues in accessing and using research in order to select appropriate strategies to improve x
student learning.
b) Facilitates the analysis of student learning data, collaborative interpretation of results, and application x
of findings to improve teaching and learning.
c) Supports colleagues in collaborating with the higher education institutions and other organizations x
engaged in researching critical educational issues.
d) Teaches and supports colleagues to collect, analyze, and communicate data from their classrooms to x
improve teaching and learning.
Three Examples of Domain 2 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
 Shared with colleagues / admin (after attending an I would like for our school to get in contact / partner with
extensive workshop) how to interpret and utilize higher education / professional institutions (subcategory C)
standardized testing data (NWEA MAP testing) to to provide real training and support for teachers in data
make appropriate curriculum and instructional analysis and implementation.
changes as well as create personalized learning
experiences for students
 Mentoring new teacher
 Create & share data charts for middle school ELA
teachers as guide for teachers to create their own

Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 1
 Domain 3: Promotes Professional Learning for Continuous Improvement E/E A I/I
a) Collaborates with colleagues and school administrators to plan professional learning that is team-based, x
job-embedded, sustained over time, aligned with content standards, and linked to school/district
improvement goals.
b) Uses information about adult learning to respond to the diverse learning needs of colleagues by x
identifying, promoting, and facilitating varied and differentiated professional learning.
c) Facilitates professional learning among colleagues. x
d) Identifies and uses appropriate technologies to promote collaborative and differentiated professional x
learning.
e) Works with colleagues to collect, analyze, and disseminate data related to the quality of professional x
learning and its effect on teaching and student learning.
f) Advocates for sufficient preparation, time, and support for colleagues to work in teams to engage in job- x
embedded professional learning.
g) Provides constructive feedback to colleagues to strengthen teaching practice and improve student x
learning.
h) Uses information about emerging education, economic, and social trends in planning and facilitating x
professional learning.
Three Examples of Domain 3 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
 I held multiple workshops on blended learning and Although I do this already, I want to improve on advocating
digital tools for my colleagues this year for more preparation, time, and support to work in teams
 Mentoring new teacher and engage in professional learning because I do not feel this
 Peer observations & evaluations is provided sufficiently. We have times set apart for
 This year I designed and implemented a pilot class professional learning and workshops, but there is very little
using competency-based learning with time for collaboration or actual deep learning to take place.
collaboration with the curriculum coordinator Because of this, it does not result in any significant changes,
 Part of committee reconstructing our school’s which is stunting our collaborative growth as learners and
professional development standards and leaders.
expectations, advocating for more support for
teachers

Domain 4: Facilitates Improvements in Instruction and Student Learning E/E A I/I

a) Facilitates the collection, analysis, and use of classroom and school-based data to identify opportunities x
to improve curriculum, instruction, assessment, school organization, and school culture.
b) Engages in reflective dialog with colleagues based on observation of instruction, student work, and x
assessment data and helps make connections to research-based effective practices.
c) Supports colleagues’ individual and collective reflection and professional growth by serving in roles such x
as mentor, coach, and content facilitator.
d) Serves as a team leader to harness the skills, expertise, and knowledge of colleagues to address x
curricular expectations and student learning needs.
e) Uses knowledge of existing and emerging technologies to guide colleagues in helping students skillfully x
and appropriately navigate the universe of knowledge available on the Internet, use social media to
promote collaborative learning, and connect with people and resources around the globe.
f) Promotes instructional strategies that address issues of diversity and equity in the classroom and x
ensures that individual student learning needs remain the central focus of instruction.
Three Examples of Domain 4 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
 I collect, analyze, and chart student data over time, I am a vocal member of a professional development
and use that to inform instruction, which includes committee at my school as well as in the departments I am
personalizing the learning experience, purposeful involved in (English, History), and I mentor a new teacher as
grouping based on strengths and weaknesses, and well; however, I would like to start my own PLC group or
differentiated reading based on lexile level. This become a department head.
information is shared with my department, the
principal, and curriculum coordinator.
 Mentoring new teacher
 Teach how to use several digital tools and promote
21st century skills through my workshops
 My workshops also focus on blended learning,
Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 2
 which focuses on student-centered personalized
learning experiences
 My classes focus on project and inquiry-based
learning, which I share and involve my co-workers
in

Domain 5: Promotes the Use of Assessments and Data for School and District Improvement E/E A I/I
a) Increases the capacity of colleagues to identify and use multiple assessment tools aligned to state and x
local standards.
b) Collaborates with colleagues in the design, implementation, scoring, and interpretation of student data x
to improve educational practice and student learning.
c) Creates a climate of trust and critical reflection in order to engage colleagues in challenging x
conversations about student learning data that lead to solutions to identified issues.
d) Works with colleagues to use assessment and data findings to promote changes in instructional x
practices or organizational structures to improve student learning.
Three Examples of Domain 5 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
 I have shared several digital assessment I have been applying much of Domain 5 throughout this year,
tools that align with our standards in our but I would like to continue my growth in this area by having
department meetings and via email. conversations about student data with all of middle school
 I collaborate with the curriculum ELA (not just with leadership / curriculum coordinator) to
coordinator in my data design, result in more vertical alignment of our curriculum and
implementation, scoring and promoting best practices. I am working on ways to help
interpretation of student data. create a climate of critical reflection. Because we do not have
 Shared with my department how to use strong trust between leadership and teachers, many teachers
our standardized assessment data to have been resistant to critical reflection and are often hyper-
create effective grouping, set personalized defensive, which is not creating a safe or effective
learning goals, and inform instruction environment.
 Based on my analysis and presentation of
our school’s standardized data, we
identified gaps in our curriculum and have
set out to restructure it to best meet the
needs of our students

Domain 6: Improves Outreach and Collaboration with Families and Community E/E A I/I
a) Uses knowledge and understanding of the different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and languages in x
the school community to promote effective interactions among colleagues, families, and the larger
community.
b) Models and teaches effective communication and collaboration skills with families and other x
stakeholders focused on attaining equitable achievement for students of all backgrounds and
circumstances.
c) Facilitates colleagues’ self-examination of their own understandings of community culture and diversity x
and how they can develop culturally responsive strategies to enrich the educational experiences of
students and achieve high levels of learning for all students.
d) Develops a shared understanding among colleagues of the diverse educational needs of families and the x
community.
e) Collaborates with families, communities, and colleagues to develop comprehensive strategies to address x
the diverse educational needs of families and the community.
Three Examples of Domain 6 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
 Parent, student, teacher conferences I want to apply subcategory E more in my own practice by
 Collaborating with educators from our two involving the larger school community, especially in my PBL
linguistic apartments (English and Portuguese) projects and in advocating for students’ needs.
 Parent, student, and faculty ongoing involvement
in achieving our accreditation board I also want to improve in subcategory A. Working in such a
recommendations diverse school context with two separate departments
 Bi-annual parent surveys about their student (Brazilian and American), it’s always a challenge to find
learning needs effective ways to communicate and collaborate, especially
 Parent – teacher online group with weekly when it’s so easy to make assumptions or misunderstand due

Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 3
 communication to cultural or linguistic differences.
 Reflective practice

Domain 7: Advocates for Student Learning and the Profession E/E A I/I
a) Shares information with colleagues within and/or beyond the district regarding how local, state, and x
national trends and policies can impact classroom practices and expectations for student learning.
b) Works with colleagues to identify and use research to advocate for teaching and learning processes that x
meet the needs of all students.
c) Collaborates with colleagues to select appropriate opportunities to advocate for the rights and/or needs x
of students, to secure additional resources within the building or district that support student learning,
and to communicate effectively with targeted audiences such as parents and community members.
d) Advocates for access to professional resources, including financial support and human and other x
material resources, that allow colleagues to spend significant time learning about effective practices and
developing a professional learning community focused on school improvement goals.
e) Represents and advocates for the profession in contexts outside of the classroom. x
Three Examples of Domain 7 Experiences Areas of Interest in Growth
 Went to a NWEA MAP testing workshop (the I am currently working on subcategory C. Unfortunately, I
standardized test my school uses), about how to have not had much success in the past in advocating for the
use the data effectively in order to inform needs of students or resources, but I am working on getting
instruction. I presented this information to my the larger school community now involved to support my
colleagues and leadership afterwards. efforts. This will hopefully include more involvement in the
 Led a workshop for my colleagues on hybrid parent committee as well. If I can get the parents on-board,
learning and digital tools with the focus on how to then I will be able to gain funding and support from
effectively differentiate and personalize learning administration to meet the students’ needs.
for students
 Part of a committee working on advocating for a
concrete professional development plan for my
school. We now have contacted an advisor who
will be helping us leverage with administration to
advocate for more access and financial support.

Summary of Strengths and Areas of Possible Growth

Strengths: The categories below are the ones I feel I perform the best in.
 Create trust among colleagues (1c)
 Create inclusive culture by welcoming diverse perspectives (1d)
 Promote effective interactions through understanding of backgrounds, cultures, languages, etc., (1e)
 Assist colleagues in accessing, analyzing and applying research/data to improve learning (2a,2b, 2d)
 Model team-based collaboration (3a)
 Facilitate professional learning (4c)
 Encourage reflective dialogue & feedback and serve as a mentor (4b, 4c)
 Guide colleagues with appropriate and enriching tech-use for students (4e)
 Advocate for inclusive teaching and learning processes (7b)

Areas of Growth:
There are several categories that I did not give myself an Integrating / Innovating score in, but most of domain 6 and 7 are
needing improvement. I want to apply 6e more in my own practice by involving the larger school community, especially in my
PBL projects and in advocating for students’ needs. I also want to improve in 6a. Working in such a diverse school context
with two separate departments (Brazilian and American), it’s always a challenge to find effective ways to communicate and
collaborate, especially when it’s so easy to make assumptions or misunderstand due to cultural or linguistic differences. For
domain 7, my biggest focus would be 7c. Unfortunately, I have not had much success in the past in advocating for the needs
of students or resources, but I am working on getting the larger school community now involved to support my efforts. This
will hopefully include more involvement in the parent committee as well. If I can get the parents on-board, then I will be able
to gain funding and support from administration to meet the students’ needs.

Self-Assessment of Teacher Leader Qualities (adapted from Teacher Leader Model Standards (http://www.teacherleaderstandards.org/) 4