Franklin County Teacher Leader Model
The information below outlines the teacher leader model created in 2016-17, but may not reflect current practice in the district.
In Franklin County, teacher leaders serve as liaisons between school staff and administration. This develops communication in order to provide coaching support and belief in becoming a more effective teacher. The 2015- 2020 Franklin County Board Strategic Plan calls for ongoing job-embedded professional learning and an expanded focus on professional learning communities (PLCs). Teacher leaders will promote high-quality professional learning for improved instructional strategies and TEAM support.
Competencies and Beliefs
Franklin County teacher leaders believe:
- all teachers including themselves need support.
- all teachers can learn.
- professional learning is essential.
Franklin County teacher leaders have the capacity to:
- lead.
- offer support throughout their building.
- learn new things and teach to others.
Roles and Responsibilities
Project-Based Coach
- Introduces and supports state initiatives
- Works closely with the curriculum specialists
Data Coach
- Creates a safe and blame-free environment for data analysis
- Teaches data access and organization
- Teaches analysis and interpretation of data from multiple sources
- Engages teachers in data analysis and interpretation to determine student and teacher needs
- Designs an action plan that incorporates professional learning to improve student achievement based on data analysis
Mentor
- Builds relationships
- Models effective teaching practices
- Understands the bigger picture/goals
- Develops classroom management strategies
- Uses school data from TEAM reports to increase teacher effectiveness
- Assists in planning and collaboration
- Understands and uses the curriculum and student standards
- Mentors new teachers
Subject Area Coach/PLCs
- Presents chosen topics to enhance staff effectiveness
- Leads subject area PLCs
- Researches best practices and shares with colleagues
- Models best practices
- Initiates Teacher Peer Excellence Group (TPEG)
Cost and Sustainability
The Franklin County School District put teacher leaders in place using funds from the differentiated pay plan. These positions are school-based curriculum and instructional coaches (CIs). The CIs are paid for additional time out of the classroom to serve as mentors, provide direct support for the TEAM evaluation rubric, and implement professional learning opportunities at the school level. In addition to their pay, they are given two days each month to have a substitute teacher to support their work in the schools. The funding for this will continue to come from differentiated pay.
Budget
| Teacher Leader Role | Number of Positions | Cost Per Position | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum instruction coaches | 37 | $3,852 | $132,534 |
| Training, supplies, materials | $18,996 | ||
| Substitute teachers | $6,000 | ||
| Total teacher leaders | 37 | $157,530 |
Sustainability Strategies
- Incorporate teacher leader trainings into professional learning days to absorb extra costs.
- Keep CIs for more than one year to cut down on costs associated with training and Ayers professional learning.
- Conduct professional learning after hours to cut down on substitute costs.
- Send CIs to state trainings to cut down on costs of all teachers attending.