A qualitative study of teacher leadership in secondary schools in central Missouri

Abstract

This qualitative study examined teacher leadership with the purpose of gaining knowledge and insight as well as adding to existing research about teacher leaders. Research was conducted in the form of surveys and interviews. Ten principals and their ten selected teacher leaders were interviewed. The researcher discovered characteristics teacher leaders possess, how their respective principals view them as leaders, and how they view themselves as leaders. Several subthemes emerged from the overarching theme of "let's go." Results from the study revealed teachers, when given opportunities for leadership roles, impact the school in many positive ways and this distributive leadership helps alleviate pressure from principals.