Leadership: The Teacher's Imperative Open Access

There has been a great deal of discussion in recent years focusing on the need for teachers to have leadership responsibilities and to participate in the decision-making processes within their respective schools. Unfortunately, these discussions are often filled with suggestions and recommendations that completely miss the point about teacher leadership. Leadership for teachers has little to do with titles and responsibilities, yet it has everything to do with their performance in the classroom. A true teacher leader is one who can create a classroom environment that fosters high achievement among the students. Teachers that can influence and gain the respect of their students are in essence bona fide leaders.