We never stop learning as teachers. Education is constantly changing, and we are always finding ways to grow as educators.

I believe as educators, we start out here, but then the burn-out and difficulties creep in and we are left feeling less than adequate. However, if we can keep this mindset especially the part of improving our craft we can continually work towards the end goal of achieving student growth and success.

The phase that resonates with me is "...focused on improving their craft...." I am always trying to find what or best practices to improve myself. By doing so I believe it will improve those around me, teachers, and students but also beyond the classroom.

My key word is ACTION! This is not a calling you can get comfortable with. It is always changing and we have to dig right in and go with it.

"Teachers who are leaders lead within and beyond the classroom" really resonates with me. Teacher leadership goes far beyond delivering lessons and closing the door at the end of the school day. True teacher leaders are often the ones volunteering their time, mentoring colleagues, leading initiatives, and looking for ways to improve both their school and the larger community.

Many also take on second jobs or side roles that involve leadership, because leading isn’t something they turn on and off. It’s part of who they are. I’ve also seen how this mindset affects students: when we foster leadership in the classroom, our students are more likely to seek out leadership roles in their communities too.

Leadership is about influence, impact, and service.

I find myself continuing to be a follower and wish for changes that I will not suggest. I am usually a yes person and have been in that burnt out place not wanting to be apart of these groups. Until the one day, someone saw something in me that I didn't see.

I saw someone post above about teachers abandoning team to focus on themselves. This really made my eye pop because I hadn't thought about that, but it makes perfect sense. When I was in a team environment, at a larger school, there were always the teachers that "gate kept" some of the activities and lessons they did. I never understood that. How do we keep the focus on all students and not just the ones in personal classrooms?

In order to improve a school, leaders have to grow individual teachers. It has to be on a personal and individual level, not every teacher as a whole. For students to grow, their teachers have to grow and try new practices.

Great teachers are passionate. Great leaders are passionate. We fuel our passion and we rejuvenate by surrounding ourselves with others who share that passion and excitement for education and students. It's why we feel so great after a good training. Leaders, in turn, should be passionate. They cannot be complacent, indifferent, or apathetic. This isn't to say that they can't have bad days, but overall a leader-- particularly a school leader-- should be one that is still excited, still eager, and still wholeheartedly committed to our schools and our students.

Teacher leaders bring firsthand classroom experience, influence positive change, and help strengthen schools from the inside out.

How can I transfer my leadership in the classroom to leadership in other areas? I can lead a classroom full of teenagers just fine, but adults? There's a lot more buy-in that goes with that.

How can I be as big a support as possible?

How can I share my passion for what we do with others in a way that is both helpful and compassionate?

How can we reach those who are less enthusiastic, those who are complacent, and those who can do better but are too reluctant to change?

beyond the classroom, identify with and contribute to a community of teacher learners and

leaders, and influence others toward improved educational practice”

To me, this says "I am a leader, wherever I go." Those who aspire to be leaders should bring that spirit with them to all aspects of their life. It isn't a hat to be taken off and left at the end of the work day. It is a part of you, that you take out and share with the world.

"Teachers who are leaders lead within and beyond the classroom" It is assumed that to be a leader you have to be a principal or have a more important designated role within your district, but you don't. Teachers are some of the most important and influential leaders.

"Influence" The influence we have on others is so important as a lead teacher. If we go in negative and have a negative outlook, that is what others will pick up on. Positivity is contagious, but so is negativity.

How to best give feedback too get feedback from those that we lead, in a way that is constructive for both parties? With some ideologies being so drastically different, are there resources for how to best navigate settling differences between 2 drastically different schools of thought?

Although teachers are comfortable filling the leadership role in the classroom, many do NOT want to engage with the community. Many feel "blamed" or "attacked" by those outside education...they do not engage with the public. Teachers must step up and become advocates for our schools and public education.

Lead teachers "contribute" to the ultimate success of the teachers they lead. That encompasses the whole teacher. We can't just tell them what to do, we must show them. Help them develop and grow. I know there a lot of reasons teachers are leaving the profession, but I hear one collective issue over and over. Lack of support, and being overwhelmed. I was blessed with mentors/leaders that lead within and beyond my class. I want to do the same for others.

Teachers are life long learners. Teachers are constantly adapting their craft to meet the ever changing needs and challenges of their students.

I have spoke in depth of how blessed I was with real time with my teacher leaders. It was such a game changer for me. My principal at the time facilitated that time. That time was during the day. I was new to inclusion, and had no idea how to honestly teach and plan for all the different levels. Teachers are truly struggling with that now. I had hands on teaching. so beneficial.

Everyone can lead in some way. You might be leading and not even know it so set a good example yourself, be positive, include others, and value others. You can set the tone.

Find out your strengths and how they can help. You can accomplish more together than you think.

I believe that every person in the school is a stakeholder.

Building a school culture in which all teachers feel empowered to share and learn from one another is incredibly powerful. When we create a space for collaboration and recognizing individual strengths, we encourage mutual growth and respect. By sharing effective strategies and ideas, we grow as professionals and empower our colleagues to do the same.

"Teachers who are leaders lead within an beyond the classroom..." Being a leader is not something that is done only on the outside of a classroom (or only within), but it is everywhere within your professional life.

I've seen several others ask this. Teachers are a lot like students. If they are not motivated and do not buy-in, then nothing will get done or change. How do you get teachers to buy-in to the idea of change? I know some of it is burn-out, but some may be just apathy, and I don't know how to change that.