Teacher leadership : understandings and experiences of portuguese teachers

Abstract

This paper reports on findings from a 3-year research project funded by National Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/CPE-CED/112164/2009) aimed at examining conditions for teacher leadership in challenging circumstances. A mixed-method research design was devised including three phases of data collection: a national survey (phase 1), focus groups with teachers and students and semi-structured interviews with principals (phase 2); and the development and evaluation of a professional development course in 5 schools (phase 3). This chapter reports on findings from the first phase of data collection through an online questionnaire administered nationwide between February and May 2012 (N= 2702). Data related to teachers’ motivation, job satisfaction and commitment; conditions for teacher leadership and motivations for undertaking in-service training; and professional development opportunities are presented. Implications of the findings are discussed. Keywords: Teacher leadership, professional development, professionalism