1. Model lifelong learning.

Teacher leaders recognize the importance of deep

content and pedagogical expertise. They never stop learning. They also agree they
want students to become lifelong learners. One way for students to recognize the
value of lifelong learning is to see their teachers as lifelong learners and to
hear their teachers talk about its influence on them.

2. Engage in effective collaborative learning. Teacher leaders are experts in their

craft. They are able to engage in collaborative planning, give feedback, offer
perspectives, and advocate for changes because they understand what is required for
excellence in teaching to occur on a daily basis.

3. Assume collective responsibility for student success. Teacher leaders accept

responsibility for the success of their students. Teacher leaders also promote
collective responsibility for the students served by the other members of their
team. To achieve this, they commit to work together through a cycle of inquiry that
enables them to clarify students' learning needs and their learning agenda,
implement new strategies across the team, assess the impact on students, and refine
their plans until all students are experiencing success.

4. Support their newer colleagues. Teacher leaders recognize the challenges newer
teachers face and don't wait for invitations to welcome them and acknowledge the
importance of the job these new colleagues have accepted. Teacher leaders remember
their first few years on the job and what was most helpful to them and are ready to
offer their colleagues similar support.

5. Contribute to the schoolwide improvement agenda. Teacher leaders extend their

impact beyond their team to the entire school. They understand that success in one
grade or subject can be erased by limited success in another grade. As a result,
teacher leaders feel a responsibility to help build a culture of continuous
improvement, trust, and respect across the entire school. They serve on school
improvement, curriculum, instruction, leadership, or other important leadership
teams.

6. Impact system performance. Teacher leaders step up and volunteer to serve on

district committees as well. When they have the opportunity to work in a great
school, they feel a commitment to making sure all teachers and students across the
system have the same. By serving on district planning, professional development,
professional association, curriculum, and other committees, they impact what
happens across the school system for all teachers and their students.

7. Build relationships with policymakers. Teacher leaders are in the best position
to impact the decisions of policymakers. They have the authentic experience and
insights to provide practical examples to people who make decisions that affect
them and their profession. They are among the most trusted members of the
community. Teacher leaders get involved in the political process and build
relationships with candidates and those elected to govern because they know
investing early positions them for influence later.