This document summarizes interviews conducted with teacher leaders. It includes background information on the teacher leaders, as well as their responses to questions about the qualities, characteristics, roles, and relationships involved in teacher leadership. Some of the teacher leaders discussed being humble, building relationships, mentoring others, and the importance of all stakeholders working together for student success.

1. LEARNING TEAM C
INTERVIEW PRESENTATION
BY
RHONDA RAINEY
C RY S TA L L E W I L L I A M S
D A N I TA J A C K S O N
T R A C Y R AY

2. QUESTION LIST
The qualifications a teacher leader must possess
The dispositional characteristics and traits a teacher leader must possess
The role a teacher leader plays in the dynamics of the school and community
The future of teacher leadership
The relationships between stakeholders, organizations, and teacher leaders

3. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WILL GO IN THE
FOLLOWING ORDER.
Rhonda Rainey
Crystalle Williams
Danita Jackson
Tracy Ray

4. MRS. KELLY GERSTNER
BACKGROUND: A music teacher with the district for eight years
Enjoys singing in the choir, Also believes that if students are struggling in their
core classes, music class is a way to release and express themselves

5. MRS. KELLY GERSTNER
QUESTION: The qualifications a teacher leader must possess.
ANSWER: Feels that you should be able to meet all standards as a Teacher Leader, and have
learning skills necessary to fully master their Job.
QUESTION: The dispositional characteristics and traits a teacher leader must possess.
ANSWER: Feels that you should be open, have conscientious, be extraversion , agreeable and
neuroticism.
QUESTION: The role a teacher leader plays in the dynamics of the school and community.
ANSWER: Feels that you should be trust worthy and stand for something, because if you don’t
stand for your beliefs, you will fall for anything.

6. MRS. KELLY GERSTNER
QUESTION: The future of teacher leadership.
ANSWER: Feels that teacher leaders are vital and well needed in society today. Without great teacher
leader the students will suffer. Because sometimes the only people the student feel that they can turn to
are the teacher leaders.
QUESTION: The relationships between stakeholders, organizations, and teacher leaders.
ANSWER: Knowing that a vital stakeholder is someone who affects or is affected by the school actions,
the relationship between the three are vital and each plays a role that is just as important as the next
one. The relationships are more effective when it done in unity while doing their part.

7. THE MUSIC FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUE
Intonation
Memorization
Tone Quality
Musical Effect
Balance/Blend
Interpretation
Rhythm
Phrasing
Note Accuracy
Dynamics
Position/Posture
Ensemble Precision

8. CHOIR AND BAND SONGS
The Great Gate of Kiev
The Marriage of Figaro
Bridge over Troubled Water
God who Madeth Earth and Heaven
Now God be with Us
Savior of the World Divine
In Thee is Gladness
Jesu, Day by Day
All my Heart this night rejoices

9. VERONICA HARRIS-KING
BACKGROUND: BA Interdisciplinary Studies
MA Curriculum Instruction
Years of Teaching Experience 8 years
Years of Acquaintance 5 years
Current Position- 1st Grade Teacher, Lead Social Studies Teacher, 1st Grade
Team Leader

10. VERONICA HARRIS-KING
Question 1- When thinking about leadership, what changes can you make
today that will shape how you are as a leader in the future?
I asked: What comes to mind when you think about the word leadership?
Veronica: Leadership is mentoring, guiding, and motivating others. When I
went to the teacher leadership conference, the main topic was about
building relationships. You have to be able to relate to someone for
them to be able to listen to you, or being able to be a leader.
I asked: What changes can you make today that will shape how you are as
a leader in the future.
Veronica: Being more humble.

11. VERONICA HARRIS-KING
I asked: What do you mean by being more humble?
Veronica: Being modest and more respectful of others
thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Being a leader doesn’t always mean
being the voice, it also means being a listener. Being a leader is not
being a dictator, you build your power not by ordering people
around, but by finding areas of common ground.
Question 2- How do you feel the qualities you possess make you the right
person to be a teacher leader"?
I asked: What qualities do you possess that qualify you to be a teacher
leader?
Veronica- organization, professionalism, and optimism

12. VERONICA HARRIS-KING
Question 3- A teacher leader must possess certain characteristics and
traits. Which do you possess and how does it make you qualify for this
position?
I asked: What are your characteristics as a teacher leader?
Veronica- As I previously mentioned with the question about qualities, a leader
must be organized, professional, and optimistic. I feel each of these
describe me, but I can relate more to optimism. I can relate more because
leading is about helping someone become better. I want my team, or
whoever I’m leading to always remain hopeful and positive.
I asked: How do these qualities help qualify you?
Veronica: The qualities that I possess as a leader help to create a strong
foundation for my team. Being optimistic, no matter the situation ahead of
us, helps us to establish a positive and supportive environment, where we
collaborate and make the best decision based in our student needs.

13. VERONICA HARRIS-KING
Question 4- As a teacher leader, what roles do you play in the dynamics of the school
and community?
Veronica: I am a 1st grade teacher, a cooperating teacher to a student teacher, a mentor
to troubled students, the lead Social Studies Teacher, and the 1st grade team
leader. I take on a vital part of school leadership to mentor those in need of
growing. I am all for developing minds into becoming someone for the better.
Question 5- What do you feel are the relationships between stakeholders,
organizations, and teacher leaders? Please tell of an example
Veronica: All of them present a form of growing an individual or group. An example I
can give would be that as a leader I still do not know all the answers to all
questions, or assist all needs. But as a leader I can provide resources and show
you where to get your information. I believe in our school community, everyone
has a job. Jobs in our community/school are given for the purposes that are to
meet the needs of students. We are here to rely on each other for support,
everyone has an important role. We need our crossing guards and school patrol
for the safety of our students, our teachers to educate our students’ minds and
hearts for the desire to learn. Our teachers need the support of administration,
team leaders, and educational development to provide a rich-teaching
environment for our students. Our school nurse, custodians and food nutrition
provide our students with clean, safe environment and keep our students body
healthy. Not one person is responsible for the success of our students, all of us
hold an important role. As a leader, that is the most important aspect. That is not
to take credit, but to give and share credit. It takes a village to raise a child, and
our school community is that village.

14. DEB BORSDORF

15. DEB BORSDORF
Teacher Leader: Deb Borsdorf
Background: literacy coach for 8 years, masters in Reading as a specialist, served on various
committees in a leadership capacity, implemented different initiatives within district and
building. (4square writing, word walls, ruby Payne, etc.)
Question: When thinking about leadership, what changes can you make today that will shape
how you are as a leader in the future?
 Answer: I feel that I can try to be more patient with all the changes that are taking place.
Change takes time, we should not expect it all at once.
Question: How do you feel the qualities you possess make you the right person to be a teacher
leader?
 Answer: She knows her subject matter, and can talk about it thoroughly. She can be very
empathetic and yet still know what areas need improvement and try to reach other teachers and
tutors sensibly. Also has to serve at other capacities. (Taking on roles for the principals and
teachers.) Believes that to be effective, you have to be able to communicate with teachers to
make sure they have everything they need to be successful.

16. DEB BORSDORF
Question: A teacher leader must possess certain characteristics and traits. Which do you possess and how does
it make you qualify for this position?
 Answer: Insightful, respected, trusted, tactful, caring, an expert in the area working in, avoids conflict and always
looking ahead, respectful and articulate. I am respected, I am an expert at what I do and I try to look ahead for
difficulties and a plan to correct if needed. I care about the people I work with and respect how difficult their job
can be. I try to be tactful when correcting something that needs to done in a more satisfactory manner and provide
the tools necessary to getting the job done. Hopefully, I work in a building where I have built relationships with my
colleagues. Nothing gets done without positive relationships….you do not have to be best buddies…just respectful
of each other.
Question: As a teacher leader, what roles do you play in the dynamics of the school and community?
 Answer: In the school, I help as a liaison between principal and teachers. Sometimes it is easier for me to approach
the principal then the teachers. I can also be a barometer for what is stressing the teachers and communicate it to the
principal. Also, a communicator to the teachers from the ROE, which is an extension of our educational system on
a broader basis. I provided the training teachers need, on a building basis, to extend learning of new programs and
systems that teachers are expected to become experts in.
Question: What do you feel are the relationships between stakeholders, organizations, and teacher leader?
Please tell of an example.
 Answer: Stakeholders would be the teachers, the organization would be the school/school district and teacher leader
would be Pat S. or myself.
I feel the relationship is bonded between teachers and myself….I always remind
myself that I am STILL a teacher. Some of the teacher leaders in our district have forgotten that they have not been
elevated to a Type 75 certificate because they are a teacher leader or a coach. Because I am connected as a teacher, I
can be empathetic to the struggles teacher work thru daily. For example, our district has chosen to implement more
than one new initiative within the district. This is very stressful to the teachers. One new initiative is Acuity
Testing….teachers have received little instruction or ideas on how to implement this within the class day and
continue teaching. During our last PLC, on Wednesday, I was able to speak for the teachers and invite some of the
administration and other “teacher leaders” to go into classroom and observe how this new implementation was a
struggle and time consuming for teachers.

17. DEB BORSDORF
Question: As a teacher leader, what roles do you play in the dynamics of the school and
community?
 Answer: In the school, I help as a liaison between principal and teachers. Sometimes it is easier for me
to approach the principal then the teachers. I can also be a barometer for what is stressing the
teachers and communicate it to the principal. Also, a communicator to the teachers from the ROE,
which is an extension of our educational system on a broader basis. I provided the training teachers
need, on a building basis, to extend learning of new programs and systems that teachers are expected
to become experts in.
Question: What do you feel are the relationships between stakeholders, organizations, and
teacher leader? Please tell of an example.
 Answer: Stakeholders would be the teachers, the organization would be the school/school district and
teacher leader would be Pat S. or myself.
I feel the relationship is bonded between teachers and
myself….I always remind myself that I am STILL a teacher. Some of the teacher leaders in our district
have forgotten that they have not been elevated to a Type 75 certificate because they are a teacher
leader or a coach. Because I am connected as a teacher, I can be empathetic to the struggles teacher
work thru daily. For example, our district has chosen to implement more than one new initiative within
the district. This is very stressful to the teachers. One new initiative is Acuity Testing….teachers have
received little instruction or ideas on how to implement this within the class day and continue
teaching. During our last PLC, on Wednesday, I was able to speak for the teachers and invite some of
the administration and other “teacher leaders” to go into classroom and observe how this new
implementation was a struggle and time consuming for teachers.

18. DEB BORSDORF
Question: What do you feel are the relationships between
stakeholders, organizations, and teacher leader? Please tell of an
example.
 Answer: Stakeholders would be the teachers, the organization would be the
school/school district and teacher leader would be Pat S. or myself.
I feel
the relationship is bonded between teachers and myself….I always remind
myself that I am STILL a teacher. Some of the teacher leaders in our district
have forgotten that they have not been elevated to a Type 75 certificate
because they are a teacher leader or a coach. Because I am connected as a
teacher, I can be empathetic to the struggles teacher work thru daily. For
example, our district has chosen to implement more than one new initiative
within the district. This is very stressful to the teachers. One new initiative is
Acuity Testing….teachers have received little instruction or ideas on how to
implement this within the class day and continue teaching. During our last
PLC, on Wednesday, I was able to speak for the teachers and invite some of
the administration and other “teacher leaders” to go into classroom and
observe how this new implementation was a struggle and time consuming for
teachers.

19. TRACY’S SLIDES
When thinking about leadership, what changes can you make today
that will shape how you are as a leader in the future?
I think that I can learn from my mistakes. The great quote is
definitely true that we must learn from our mistakes so we
are not destined to repeat them. I want to make sure the
mistakes I make today don’t haunt my students of
tomorrow. I also have to be willing to always be
learning. I have incredible staff that bring a wealth of
knowledge to the table that can help me in that journey.
·
How do you feel the qualities you possess make you
the right person to be a teacher leader"?
Because I am direct, I am able to bring honesty to the table
with my staff. They always know where they stand with
me. I am also open and that allows my staff to know that
they can come to me to work towards a solution to
whatever they might be struggling with. My staff also
know that if they bring a problem to me, I am going to
ask what type of solution they think might fit best, and
we can work from there.

20. TRACY’S SLIDES CONTINUE
A teacher leader must possess certain characteristics and
traits. Which do you possess and how does it make you
qualify for this position?
I am direct, honest, optimistic, encouraging and a team player.
All of these qualities help me be a better leader.
·
As a teacher leader, what roles do you play in the dynamics
of the school and community?
I think I play a vital role in the dynamics of the school for sure.
For example the way I respond to any given situation sets the
tone for the staff and students alike. I have to make sure that
I am responding with the best possible approach so that my
staff and students in turn know how to structure their days
and responses. In the community it makes a difference how I
act when I encounter members of the community. I have to
make sure that I take time to speak with concerned citizens
whether it is a big or small issue. I can’t always take time
right at that moment, but it is important that I be accessible
and available to answer questions and alleviate concerns
community members might have.

21. DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP
Dynamic leadership build for a life time of durable leadership in
families, careers, and communities. Also they tell the truth and keep promises.
They also stand for their beliefs, because if you don’t stand for something you
will fall for anything.

22. THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STAKEHOLDER,
ORGANIZATIONS AND TEACHER LEADER
Knowing that a vital stakeholder is someone who affects or is affected by the school
actions, the relationship between the three are vital and each plays a role that is just
as important as the next one. The relationships are more effective when it done in
unity while doing their part.

23. THE FUTURE OF TEACHER LEADERSHIP
Formal and informal connections play a vital role for our future. While looking at
our connections formally. Connections with our teacher leaders show us what a
effective leader should be. Informally we can still leader; however, informally
sometimes we can’t present openly. The future of a teacher leader is vital and
well needed in today’s society. Many students engage or participate in their own
decision making and sometimes make the wrong choices. As teacher leaders
should show how to make the right choices. Choices can affect your future, so it
is vital to make sound decisions.

24. SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF THE TEAMS
INTERVIEW
SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES
Honesty
Everybody didn’t use a picture of
their chosen Teacher
optimistic
All of our interviews were with
people
Some where teachers, while others
were principals
encouraging
All teachers were different grades

25. OUR CHILDREN
Children are our future and we need to teach them right from wrong. It is our
duty to raise our children with balance and integrity. Our children are looking
to us for guidance and leadership. Be a role model and mentor so that our
children can be successful in whatever they put their minds to.