Choosing a template to understand and assess the leadership ability of these teachers was not easy. Theories about leadership are numerous, and transcribed interviews yielded 560 pages of description. 2 Briefly, leaders challenge the process because they are risk-takers who capitalize on opportunities. As idealists who communicate expressively, they inspire a shared vision . Since they like teamwork and instinctively nurture the talent and energy of colleagues, leaders enable others to act .
Leaders are role-models and planners who model the way .
By serving as coaches and cheerleaders, they encourage the heart . Interviewees candidly shared thoughts and feelings, making it possible to understand their strengths and limitations as leaders. Let me share the evidence and the exploratory understanding I gained about teacher leadership. Seekers of Challenges and Growth First, in common with other leaders, teacher leaders seek challenge, change, and growth. We worked on a grant-writing project and are submitting a building grant proposal.