The AISD Teacher Leader Network aims to expand the powerful potential of teacher leadership and improve student learning by enhancing the teaching profession. Teacher Leaders will support and influence practices of other teachers in the district; serving as models for professional group learning and continuous individual improvement.

Our goal is to develop leadership capacity within the district. 

  1. Leverage Teacher Leaders in AISD to support and influence practices of other teachers in the district; serving as models for professional group learning and continuous individual improvement.
  2. Leverage Teacher Leaders to support and influence district policies and practices related to teaching and learning.
  3. Create opportunities for emerging teacher leaders to collaborate, share knowledge and experience, and access resources that will strengthen their ability to lead.

 

LEAD Teacher Leadership Program
New and exclusive program for Teacher Leaders 

Austin ISD and the Schlechty Center work collaboratively to provide a unique and exclusive program for teachers who are interested in enhancing their leadership skills. The LEAD Teacher Leadership Program provides a special experience designed to develop leaders and build leadership capacity within teachers who have demonstrated commitment and a willingness to make a contribution toward the changes of their school. The Program will help teachers successfully understand the school environments in which they operate and prepare them to influence change based on students' needs. 

Focus

The focus of the LEAD Teacher Leadership Program is to support AISD teacher leaders who choose to participate in a series of collaborative learning experiences that are designed to focus on student needs. What makes this initiative unique is that it is about leading from where you are, it is ongoing and it is a partnership between AISD the Schlechty Center.

The LEAD Teacher Leadership Program is designed for Austin ISD teachers who are interested in advancing his/her leadership skills and wish to become more informed and effective in leadership roles. Participants must be a full-time AISD teacher with at least 3 years of classroom experience.

Program Benefits

Participants will

    • enhance leadership skills;
    • participate in a series of unique and collaborative learning opportunities;
    • interact, share expertise and engage as adult learners in meaningful ways;
    • build a network with other teacher leaders in AISD;
    • understand his/her school environment and learn to influence change based on students’ needs; and
    • use resources and research to plan and implement a project based on student needs.

Information to come in late May.

Superintendent’s Teacher Forum

Superintendent’s Teacher Forum participants include Teacher Leaders such as Teacher of the Year semi-finalists, Teachers of Promise, REACH Mentors, Lead Mentor Teacher Contacts, TIP Teachers, PDU facilitators, National Board Certified Teachers, Instructional Specialists/Coaches, Department Chairs and Grade Level Chairs. Teacher Leaders will engage in meaningful and reflective dialogue on teaching and learning. Conversations will focus on problems solving and ways to strengthen existing teaching, learning, and existing programs to benefit all students.

  • This is an opportunity to dialogue with the Superintendent about teaching and learning, focusing on such issues as STAAR, EOC, Instructional Management System (SchoolNet), the Curriculum Navigation System, Special Education, Tiered Academic Plans, meeting the needs of English Language Learners, and the new Teacher Appraisal System.
  • The forum will provide a systemic process for problem solving, and will focus on crucial issues. Conversation will focus on ways to strengthen existing teaching and learning to benefit all students.
  • The forum will be an opportunity to engage in dialogue focused on improving our schools and accomplishing the four goals delineated in the district’s strategic plan.

Click here to learn more about the Superintendent's Teacher Forum.

Online Learning Network

Online approaches have the capacity to enable teachers and schools to be more flexible and responsive to student needs by providing online and social interaction for learners, providing access to experts and events, networking teachers, and being more relevant to 21st Century and  online world we live in. The online learning network will allow teachers to connect online to interact, share ideas and collaborate with fellow teachers in Austin ISD.  Through social networking and computer-mediated communication, teachers will work as a community to achieve shared learning objectives.

Teacher Leaders will

  • interact, share and collaborate with other teacher leaders;
  • provide guidance and support;
  • use social media (i.e. Blog Spot, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to network and inform.