Have an education issue you're passionate about? Want to impart your knowledge and expertise of that issue in a clear, concise and convincing message to others? You're looking in the right place! CSTP's Advocacy Training is an opportunity to create and refine a message, hone your systems-thinking knowledge and create an action plan for taking your message to decision makers and others who need to hear it.

Upcoming Trainings:

When: Saturday, January 21, 2017
Where: The Coach House at the Washington State Capital Museum, 211 21st Ave. SW, Olympia, WA 98501
Day 1: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: $75
Registration Includes: All materials, coffee, lunch and snacks
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When: Saturday, February 4, 2017
Where: Yakima School District, Yakima, WA
Day 1: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: $75
Registration Includes: All materials, coffee, lunch and snacks
Register Now

 

In  a new study, researchers from the University of Washington say the Auburn Teacher Leadership Academy (ATLA) in the Auburn School District has made a significant impact on improved instructional practice through teacher leadership development. The study examined ATLA's impact on developing collaborative teacher leadership skills to support student learning. The program, headed up by the  Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession (CSTP), aims to help teachers become better classroom instructors and help build teaching capacity in their peers.

 

"What this study shows is that developing teacher leaders directly impacts both the quality of classroom instruction and the level of school and district collaboration," said Nasue Nishida, executive director of the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession. "Auburn has invested in the ATLA program because it provides high-quality, professional development and the time and opportunity for teachers to collaborate and CSTP has been fortunate to work side-by-side with them to figure it out.

 

"The UW study shows that  ATLA teachers were stronger, more confident educators as a direct result of this program. This creates opportunities for teachers to engage with one another and with their school and district in new ways. We believe this is critical for the implementation of various school improvement initiatives, which ultimately benefits students."

 

In 2010, CSTP began working with Auburn to provide specialized training with an initial cohort of teachers. Since then, five additional cohorts have been added, representing more than 400 Auburn elementary, middle and high school teachers. ATLA begins with a two-day summer academy to develop teacher leadership skills in a collaborative setting and a deep focus on the CSTP Teacher Leadership Framework. Throughout the year, teachers meet for additional training and support, reflecting on their work, revising their leadership goals and honing their leadership skills.

 

The study, which examined the district's first five years of teacher leadership work supported by ATLA, reflects a combination of surveys, focus groups and interviews. All told, 48 staff from 19 of Auburn's 22 schools were represented in UW interviews or focus groups. An online survey conducted in the fall of 2015 included 102 certificated staff from 21 schools, and 28 school and district administrators. 

"ATLA has transformed our professional development process in the Auburn School District, which has directly benefited the students we serve," said Doug Gonzalez,assistant director of instructional technology for the Auburn School District. "We look forward to building this program out and continuing our work to create more teacher leaders for Auburn."

 

There were many key takeaways from the research. For teachers, the study found that ATLA:

For schools and districts, the study found that ATLA:

"We are excited about the possibilities the ATLA model presents for other schools and districts looking to build teacher leadership," added Nishida. "Context matters. It's important to realize that a teacher leadership program could look dramatically different in a district like Bellingham or Highline or Sunnyside but still deliver the same professional learning to their teachers. We hope this study inspires other districts to consider new ways of developing and utilizing teacher leaders in schools."