Teacher Leadership CAGS is about energizing and mobilizing the "sleeping giant" - the untapped attributes and contributions of teachers- to strengthen student performance and increase student achievement.

CAGS Teacher Leadership offers Learners the opportunity to enhance their understanding of teaching and learning; to augment their understanding of school culture; to challenge the barriers to school reform and change; to build collaborative coalitions, and to create effective teacher leader paradigms. This CAGS is aligned to the Teacher Leadership specialization.

TL5000 - Teacher Leadership:The Teacher as Leader

Learners examine their current knowledge base, skill sets and leadership abilities with an eye toward improvement and engagement. Expansion of roles and responsibilities for the teacher within the framework of a professional learning community is a major focus of this course. Learners explore their leadership styles, learning styles, and communications styles in order to maximize their professional growth and development as leaders. In this course, examination of personal and professional philosophies of education and instruction serve as primary sources of inquiry and research for Learners. Learners pursuing the Teacher Leadership specialization should enroll in this as their first specialization course.

TL5001 - Teacher Leadership: The Teacher as Mentor

his course is intended to help teachers develop an understanding of and skill in assuming mentorship roles in their schools/districts. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between the teacher leader and the teacher who is being mentored as part of the overall process of developing quality teachers within the framework of a professional learning community. Characteristics, roles, and responsibilities of a good mentor will be identified and related to the support and retention of teachers. The precepts of cognitive coaching will be applied as students develop a plan for a mentoring program within their own school or district.

TL5002 - Teacher Leadership: The Teacher as Change Agent

Because change is one constant in education today, this course will examine an array of educational change models including Fullan & Stiegelbauer, Reigeluth & Garfinkle, Ely, and others. Topics will include the roles and opportunities for teachers to serve as agents of change within their schools and districts, planning for change and responding to obstacles, and analyses of case studies in a variety of educational settings. In the major culminating project for the course, the student will analyze a workplace-based situation and prepare a plan for effecting change within the organization.

TL5003 - Teacher Leadership: The Teacher as Trainer

Professional educators recognize the importance of sharing their craft with others. This course will focus on research and best practices in educational training, adult learning theory, and aligning the professional development plan with the mission, vision, values, and goals of the school or district. Strategies such as workshops, faculty study groups, peer coaching, and action research projects will be explored. Learners will prepare a comprehensive learner-centered and performance-based plan for professional development that focuses on identified needs and demonstrates an understanding of adult learning.

TL5004 - Teacher Leadership:Standards and Best Practices

There is broad societal support for educational reform and accountability. This course will examine the standards-based movement in contemporary education. Academic, content, and performance standards of professional organizations and state departments of education will be reviewed. Standards and best practices for teaching, requirements and implications of No Child Left Behind legislation (NCLB), and the pedagogical standards of professional organizations will also be reviewed. Topics will include aligning content standards with instruction and assessment, data-driven instruction, portfolios and alternative ways to assess student achievement, state licensure requirements relevant to each learner, and certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

TL5005 - Teacher Leadership: Technology for Teacher Leadership

Learners will engage in an in-depth examination and exchange of ideas surrounding some of the critical issues facing school improvement as it relates to teaching and the use of modern technological tools. Learners will examine the promises and challenges that technology brings to schools today. This course goes beyond basic technology literacy and requires the learner to evaluate the technology acceptable use policy of the school or district, examine best practices for technology integration to enhance student achievement, explore the relationship of learning styles with educational technology, and develop technology leadership skills.