Bustin' into Leadership

Manchester City Schools

The information below outlines the teacher leader model created in 2016-17, but may not reflect current practice in the district.

In Manchester City Schools, the term "teacher leader" is commonly applied to teachers who have taken on leadership roles and additional professional responsibilities. Teacher leaders strive to encourage, motivate, and support classroom teachers in their roles as instructional leaders. Teacher leaders work to build capacity for self and others by promoting student learning, growth, and achievement. Through shared leadership, MCS' goal is to create a community of productive lifetime learners.

Competencies and Beliefs

Manchester teacher leaders believe:

  • all students are capable of academic growth and achievement.
  • all teachers have the capacity to be highly effective.
  • collaboration is essential in building teacher capacity.
  • data drives instruction.
  • ongoing professional learning is essential for improving instructional practices.
  • learning is a lifelong process.

Manchester teacher leaders have the capacity to:

  • engage, motivate, and inspire students and colleagues.
  • provide a positive climate for learning among all stakeholders.
  • model best practices and assist career teachers in lesson development.
  • establish trust and support relationships among administration and staff.
Manchester City has 21 total positions for teacher leaders, all of which are full-time teachers. Roles include mentor teacher (10 positions), data coach (3 positions), instructional technology coach (3 positions), and master teacher (5 positions).

Roles and Responsibilities

Master Teacher

  • Leads weekly cluster groups
  • Assists in developing a school improvement plan
  • Conducts field testing and models best practices
  • Coaches and supports teachers
  • Evaluates teacher performance

Mentor Teacher

  • Coaches career teachers
  • Leads professional learning
  • Assists with field testing and models best practices

Instructional Data Coach

  • Focuses on improvement of math and English language arts (ELA)
  • Analyzes student assessment data
  • Facilitates professional learning
  • Facilitates the use of data to guide instruction
  • Communicates with subject- or grade-level areas to compile school-wide data
  • Facilitates data team meetings

Instructional Technology Coach

  • Integrates the use of technology in instruction and coaching
  • Assists teachers in locating appropriate online resources
  • Assists teachers in utilizing state and district websites and software related to student data
  • Facilitates professional learning

Cost & Sustainability

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), through carry-over funds in a TAP grant, will fund stipends for master and mentor teachers. Local funding will provide stipends for instructional technology and data coaches. Materials and supports for teacher leader learning are funded out of Title IIA.

Budget 

Teacher    Leader Role    Number of Positions Cost    Per Position    Total   
Mentor teachers 10 $2,250 $22,500
Data coaches 3 $2,000 $6,000
Instructional technology coaches 3 $2,000 $6,000
Master teachers 5 $4,500 $22,500
Training     $3,000
Materials     $2,000
Total teacher leaders 21   $62,000

Sustainability Strategies

  • Teacher leader positions will be incorporated into Title II-A and the local budget.
  • The stipends will also serve as the differentiated pay plan for Manchester City Schools.
  • Document and openly communicate successes of teacher coaching model to garner buy-in and financial support from the school board and community.
  • Given the opportunity, teacher leaders will participate in state and regionally provided trainings.