Liz Prather’s Key Points:
Be the Thing You Teach- Love and be and live the things you teach, especially those things we all should teach: compassion, honesty, integrity, peace, humanity, kindness, grace.
Be the Expert of Your Classroom– Being the expert doesn’t mean you have all the answers, but no one else has more knowledge of your own students, more reference points and growth charts than you have.
Be Data Savvy- Data is part of relationship building. Without knowing where kids are, how can we help them get to the place they need to be?
Be Continually Reflective of Your Practice- How am I growing as a leader? Where do my interests lie? What projects are worth my limited time? Am I spreading myself too thin? Is teaching still my first job?
Be Able to Defend Your Practice- Know why you do the things you do. Then, as a leader, share everything you know.
Be Informed About Education Policy- Educate yourself. Get involved. Serve on a site-based committee with your school district.
Be Positive and Solutions-Oriented- They clarifies and explains. They builds a team and works toward resolutions. They’re creative and thoughtful and resolute.
Rise Above Turbulence- Thoughtful inquiry, collaborative discussions, critical thinking, humility, patience, honesty and integrity – these pursuits bear longevity.
Here are some books we recommend to be a “Teacher Leader!”