NSTA 2014 Abstract & PowerPoint - Levels of Leadership for Teachers in Educator-Based Organizations: An Example from the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA)

Abstract from session proposal -- In addition to demonstrating leadership in their classrooms, schools and districts, teachers can progress through different levels of leadership in educator-based professional organizations. Teachers may begin their membership with an organization by passively receiving information from a newsletter and/or website, but then can be encouraged and mentored to move to higher levels of engagement. Teachers can progress into higher levels of leadership by utilizing and contributing to organization resources as well as serving in a variety of committee and elected officer positions. Examples of specific activities of engagement with organizations that can directly feed back into leadership in the classroom and broader teacher community will be presented from the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teacher Association (PAESTA). Audience participants will learn about PAESTA’s opportunities for teachers to contribute to discussion forums, image collections, and curricular databases; to self-nominate and nominate others for monthly recognitions and featured member profiles; to present at conferences and publish in journals; and to serve as leaders in the organization to sustain and grow the community and profile of Earth and space science teachers in Pennsylvania and beyond. Brief description -- Teacher leadership extends beyond classrooms/schools to educator-based professional organizations with levels of activities and opportunities. Examples presented are from Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA).

Presentation given in Boston, Massachusetts, at the annual National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference on April 6, 2014.