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Building Leadership Skills: From Classroom Teacher to Education Leader

Great education leaders don’t just manage schools and classrooms. They inspire change, shape school culture, and guide teachers toward student success. Teachers who are passionate about educating students and want to guide the next generation of educators may want to consider enrolling in a graduate degree program. A master’s in educational leadership can provide you with advanced insight into classroom management and curriculum development, allowing you to develop the skills required to pursue higher-level positions in education.

Why Leadership Matters in Education

From district administrators and school principals to instructional coaches and curriculum coordinators, leaders in education have a direct impact on the learning outcomes of all students. According to UNESCO, educational leadership is considered one of the most influential factors on student outcomes, falling just behind engaging teaching. As a result, leadership training for educators has become an essential part of the professional development experience for teachers at all levels of education.

The Impact of Teacher Leaders on School Culture

School culture is a broad term that refers to the shared beliefs, values and behaviors of a school community. It also refers to concrete issues that impact community stakeholders in a school facility, such as the well-being of students and staff members and the level of order within the school. School culture is actively shaped by institutional guidelines and policies, highlighting the important role that school leaders have in building the overall culture.

Teacher leaders positively impact school culture by engaging in the following behaviors:

Implementing policies that create a safe space for all learners.
Showcasing a positive attitude and allowing students as well as staff members to feel welcome and included in the school.
Creating opportunities for collaboration, allowing every student and staff member to feel as if they have a valuable voice.

Bridging the Gap Between Instruction and Administration

Leadership training for teachers empowers educators to take on leadership positions and develop their own personal leadership styles. Teacher leaders help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and administration. Far too often, school administrators forget what daily life in the classroom can be like, leaving teachers feeling unseen and unheard. Teacher leaders can use their training to help connect those working in the classroom with the administrators in charge of decision-making and policy changes.

Key Leadership Skills Every Educator Should Develop

It's crucial to understand that all educators have the power to be leaders, even if they do not choose to pursue leadership positions in the field. Educators can take on leadership roles at any stage of their career, as long as they work to develop the leadership skills that allow them to be effective problem-solvers, decision-makers and contributors within their school community.

These are the leadership skills that professional development for educators should focus on:

Communication and Team Management

Effective communication is essential in the field of education, requiring aspiring leaders to focus on building communication skills. Both oral and written communication skills are crucial for creating a positive school culture. When school leaders focus on building communication skills, they will be able to:

Provide parents and students with key information in a timely manner.
Create a positive workplace culture in which staff feel valued, included and respected.
Develop a lasting sense of trust among key stakeholders based on transparency and authenticity.

Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making

Both students and teachers look to school leaders for guidance and answers, with school leaders often being called upon to make the most strategic and challenging decisions within the school. Strategic thinking and decision-making skills should play an essential role in any principal preparation program, as future school leaders will need to know how to quickly make effective decisions that will benefit the school community at large. Decision-making in education is complex, as many factors need to be considered, including the perspectives of the students, families, staff and district administration. In many cases, school principals are called upon to make decisions that align with the district administration policy, yet take into account the context of the situation in their individual building.

Conflict Resolution and Collaborative Problem Solving

School leaders must rely on collaborative problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts in their school buildings. Some of the leading conflict resolution strategies for educational leaders include:

Creating a safe space for all parties involved to discuss the issue. Educational leaders must actively work to turn down the heat of an argument and work with all parties in a calm and productive way.
Providing a longer timeline for conflict resolution. Rather than trying to come up with a quick solution that allows everyone to move on as fast as possible, school leaders can build trust by spending more time collaborating with all involved parties to create a thoughtful and effective resolution.
Asking high-impact questions that clarify the point, identify the outcomes and allow all involved to better understand the perspectives of others.

From Teacher to Leader: Career Pathways in Education

You can leverage the power of the education leadership skills you develop through professional development and professional learning communities in schools to advance your career beyond the classroom.

After completing an education administration degree, you may be qualified to pursue the following leadership positions in education:

Instructional Coach or Mentor Teacher

Instructional coaches and mentor teachers are educational leaders who work directly with classroom teachers to provide them with real-time guidance and feedback. Instructional coaches are not teacher supervisors, but instead, educational partners who help teachers implement evidence-based teaching strategies into the classroom and reflect on the results. Coaching and mentoring teachers can be a rewarding experience, particularly for educational leaders who are not quite ready to leave the classroom environment.

Curriculum Coordinator or Department Chair

Both curriculum coordinators and department chairs are responsible for creating standards-based curriculum programs and effectively implementing them within the learning environment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) maintains that curriculum development and instructional design specialists work to develop curriculum programs that align with current standards, create training tools to help teachers effectively implement the curriculum and review student data to adapt the curriculum as needed.

Principal or Assistant Principal

As the head of educational leadership at a school, principals and assistant principals often work in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings. Their responsibilities extend well beyond managing schedules and logistics. They guide curriculum implementation, support teachers in applying effective instructional strategies, and champion a positive campus culture that promotes student achievement. Alongside these academic priorities, they also oversee class schedules, manage staff, address student discipline, and observe teachers to provide constructive feedback.

How a Master’s in Education Prepares You for Leadership

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) is a graduate degree program aimed at working teachers who want to elevate their classroom management skills and pursue leadership positions in the field. With rigorous coursework covering key educational trends and policy changes, the M.Ed. degree equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to advance their careers.

Leadership-Focused Coursework and Training

The required coursework for the master's in education degree focuses heavily on leadership skill development. Students are often required to participate in hands-on exercises and collaborative projects to improve their communication, collaboration and decision-making skills.

Opportunities for Fieldwork and Practicum Experiences

Students who enroll in an education administration degree may have opportunities to participate in fieldwork, where they go into learning environments and enjoy hands-on experiences where they can put their newfound skills to work. Practicum experiences and internship opportunities may also be available.

Faculty Support and Networking With Education Professionals

Educators who have significant experience working in classroom environments teach the courses within the master's in education degree. With a unique ability to relate to the needs of their graduate students, these supportive faculty members can offer personalized guidance and insight to the next generation of education leaders.

Influencing Policy and Driving Change in Education

Graduates with an M.Ed. degree are in a position to shape policy decisions and make a lasting impact on the education system. With a master’s in educational leadership, teachers can leverage their classroom expertise and field knowledge, combining them with new skills gained through an M.Ed. program to lead meaningful improvements in schools and communities.

Advocating for Educational Equity and Reform

Those who pursue positions in educational leadership and management have the opportunity to partner with lawmakers to advocate for the needs of students and teachers alike. Educational leaders play a vital role in advocating for educational equity by engaging with legislators and policymakers. Through collaboration, they can strive to guarantee that every student receives the necessary academic, emotional and social resources for success.

Participating in State and Local Policy Discussions

Education leaders can use their voices to make valuable contributions to local and state policy discussions. Educational policies often shape the resources available and the experiences that students enjoy in the classroom, making it imperative that education experts have a role in the discussions.

Using Data to Guide School Improvement

School administrators, curriculum developers and instructional coaches can leverage the power of data to make strategic decisions that will improve academic outcomes and create a safer, more effective learning environment for all students. Data-driven decision-making will continue to play a crucial role in the field of education in the years to come, requiring education leaders to have a strong background in data and analysis.

Earn Your Master’s in Educational Leadership at Texas Wesleyan University

By pursuing an education administration degree, you can take your teaching career beyond the classroom. Educational leadership positions allow educators to build upon their foundation in teaching and create safe, nurturing and effective learning environments where students and teachers can grow. At Texas Wesleyan University, we offer an on-campus Master of Education degree and an online Master's in Education degree, both of which allow teachers to advance their skills and explore leadership positions in the field.

Request more information about our educational leadership master’s programs today.