How Teacher Leaders Influence Instruction

This study focuses on the impacts of programs designed to develop and support teacher leaders to improve instruction in their schools. Using surveys of teachers in 45 schools in four districts and interview data, we found that the frequency of teachers' work with a teacher leader on professional growth, instructional planning, and observations/feedback were all significantly related to teacher leader influence. Higher levels of teacher leader influence were also associated with teacher reports of change in practice. The study provides evidence of what types of teacher leader activity are perceived as influential by teachers and how teacher leadership influences instruction.