The Teacher Leader Model Standards for Success: Become a Teacher Leader Through Campbellsville University

Teacher leaders are essential in today’s education system. They work alongside faculty and staff to improve student outcomes, contribute to their profession and advocate for their communities. These educators bridge the gap between teaching and leadership, taking on roles that involve collaboration, mentorship and activism.

Campbellsville University’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education Teacher Leader online program equips aspiring teacher leaders with the skills, knowledge and confidence to meet these standards and lead their schools to success. Given their significance, it’s important to define their role clearly.

The National Education Association (NEA) highlights the importance of teacher leaders, outlining their critical responsibilities through the Teacher Leader Model Standards. These standards were created through a collaborative effort by the Leadership Exploratory Consortium — which included organizations, higher education institutions, practitioners and state education agencies. The standards provide a framework for success and guide educators in fostering collaborative cultures, advancing professional development and advocating for students.

What Is a Teacher Leader?

As described by ScienceDirect, teacher leadership is a dynamic process where educators influence their peers, administrators and communities to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. Distinct from traditional administrative roles, teacher leaders maintain their classroom responsibilities while actively contributing to broader school policies and practices.

To better prepare experienced teachers for leadership roles and foster discussions about teacher leadership, the Teacher Leader Model Standards outline seven core domains:

• Domain I: Fostering a collaborative culture to support educator development and student learning
• Domain II: Accessing and using research to improve practice and student learning
• Domain III: Promoting professional learning for continuous improvement
• Domain IV: Facilitating improvements in instruction and student learning
• Domain V: Promoting the use of assessments and data for school and district improvement
• Domain VI: Improving outreach and collaboration with families and community
• Domain VII: Advocating for student learning and the profession

Understanding the Teacher Leader Model Standards

Each of the seven domains outlines a specific area where teacher leaders can make a significant impact. For example, fostering a collaborative culture (Domain I) cultivates trust and teamwork among faculty, while accessing and applying research (Domain II) equips educators to refine teaching practices and address challenges with evidence-based strategies.

The standards also highlight the importance of professional learning and community engagement in effective leadership. Indeed notes that by emphasizing continuous professional development (Domain III), teacher leaders ensure that educators remain current with evolving educational practices. Additionally, strengthening outreach and collaboration with families and communities (Domain VI) builds a supportive network that enhances student success.

By understanding and applying these standards, teacher leaders not only improve their own practice but also inspire and empower their colleagues. In effect, this fosters a more dynamic and impactful educational environment. Campbellsville’s program touches on all these domains but provides particular focus on improving instruction and student learning as well as using assessments and data for school and community growth.

What Makes a Good Teacher Leader?

Teacher leaders are distinguished by their ability to inspire, innovate and lead by example — qualities complemented by a robust set of skills. Acting as problem-solvers and advocates for positive change, teacher leaders encourage colleagues to adopt innovative teaching strategies and work together to create a shared vision for improvement.

To meet the demands of their multifaceted roles, teacher leaders rely on a diverse skill set. Communication, emotional intelligence and problem-solving are essential for building relationships and addressing challenges effectively, as noted by Indeed. The ability to analyze data, mentor peers and integrate technology into instruction further distinguishes successful teacher leaders.

Campbellsville University’s M.A. in Education Teacher Leader online program cultivates these skills. Through a blend of leadership, technology and research-focused coursework — alongside hands-on experiences — the program equips educators to lead with confidence. Courses such as Empowerment for Teacher Leadership and Digital Age Technology for Teaching and Learning prepare teacher leaders to make meaningful contributions to their schools and communities.

Additionally, the program offers two action research practicum courses that incorporate research and knowledge from the other courses to provide real-world, field-relevant experience. They allow students to examine their practice by selecting a research-based intervention to implement in their classroom and evaluating the impact of the strategy through data analysis.

Preparing for Leadership With Campbellsville University

The Teacher Leader program at Campbellsville provides a pathway for educators to take on leadership roles that impact their schools and communities. Offered in a flexible online format, the program allows working professionals to balance their studies with their teaching responsibilities. As they complete their coursework, students gain real-world experience through action research practicums where they analyze challenges, implement solutions and collaborate with peers to drive improvement.

Teacher leadership is a calling that combines a passion for teaching with a commitment to broader impact. With a focus on collaboration, research and advocacy, Campbellsville’s program empowers teacher leaders to shape the future of education and inspire lasting change.

Learn more about Campbellsville University’s online Master of Arts in Education Teacher Leader program.