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Burke County Educators Work on Teacher Leadership with NCCAT

CULLOWHEE—A team of Burke County educators worked on creating more teacher leaders in the district during a specialized program from the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, a nationally recognized leader in professional development.

For four days in Cullowhee, the 21 educators took part in a variety of efforts to help teacher leadership flourish in the district. The Teacher Leadership Institute program is a new offering designed to respond to the needs of school districts.

“This has been great,” Burke County Superintendent Dr. Larry Putnam said. “Now that we’ve been together we are already talking about building a support group that doesn’t stop here. This experience has offered a professional and safe environment. People have opened up and shared thoughts about efforts we can take to create things that are beneficial to students.”

Two distinguished educators lead the NCCAT program. Dr. Bruce Boyles is a former superintendent of Cleveland County Schools and is now an associate professor at Gardner-Webb University. Dr. Ed Davis worked for 35 years in the Union County Public Schools including time as an assistant superintendent and superintendent. He now works as an assistant professor at Wingate University.

The essential components of the program cover the topic of leadership as a concept and then get into the specifics of teacher leadership. Educators explore the elements of leadership, teacher leadership potential, personality traits, group dynamics, mentoring, problem solving, teacher leadership standards, and implementing teacher leadership roles in the school setting. The other elements of the program can be at the discretion of the Local Education Agencies and include such topics as Professional Learning Communities, Data Informed Leadership, Team Building, Technology Leadership, School Improvement Plans, and other items.

Boyles and Davis spoke with Burke County educators before the program and customized content to the needs of the district. Presenters said the week went well and the Burke County educators were engaged and had the chance to make connections across the school district that can help in the future to build a culture of leadership at all levels of the school district.

NCCAT will continue to provide this teacher leadership program to help school districts in North Carolina. For more information on how your district can take part in a Teacher Leadership Institute program, please contact Bill Miller at [email protected] or 828-293-5202.