The challenges of leader's role of the teacher

Abstract

This paper deals with the leader's role of the teacher in school, as one of central persons in educational process, and the creation of a climate stimulative for learning. Besides defining the leader's role of the teacher, which is here treated as an aspect of participation in decision-making and responsibility, different manifestations of that role in school are discussed, as well as its importance for contemporary education and possibilities and challenges of encouraging the development of teachers-leaders. The results of several studies that present the leader's role of the teacher from the point of view of different participants in school life are displayed. It is concluded that leadership of teachers in school is desirable and that it should be encouraged, since it contributes to democratisation of school climate, stimulates pupils' achievements, motivates other teachers, as well as that it is necessary to analyze numerous obstacles to leadership of teachers. Among the most important obstacles are those stemming from institutional inertia, the fear of taking risks and resistance of school principals to developing the leadership of teachers.