I'm a teacher, I can't lead

Have you ever heard this? Maybe not in so many words, but I'm sure the sentiment carries over into other statements as well. I don't think it's laziness, I think there are many reasons and motivations for teachers to pass the buck onto someone that has a leadership "title." 

The fact is that teachers can and should be leaders. I actually could argue that teachers have more impact on initiatives than the leaders that enact them. Here are a few things to think about with teacher leadership.

1. Build Relationships - The best leaders that I have worked with are masters of this. I am still working on this myself, but teachers have the best opportunity to do this. Besides students, who spends more time with teachers than teachers? Make the best of the time with other teachers to build a relationship that can lead to positive change.

2. Conversations - Teachers can lead through one-on-one conversations with other teachers. You don't have to give lengthy speeches at staff meetings to be a leader. Sometimes the most powerful acts of change can start with a small conversation.

3. Stay Positive - I know it's hard. I didn't say you can't ever vent. That's different. Venting every day is not venting, it's just being a Debby Downer. Even in the face of negativity, the best leaders spread positivity. The change that leaders enact should focus on the positive, not the negative.

Teachers can be leaders. We have the opportunity to be leaders and we need to make the most of those oppotunities.