Abstract
IN A PHI DELTA KAPPAN ARTICLE CALLED “TEACHER LEADER,” ROLAND BARTH, FOUNDER OF THE HARVARD
PRINCIPALS’ CENTER, TELLS OF AN ENCOUNTER WITH A TEACHER IN AN INNOVATIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL. BARTH
HAD ASKED THE TEACHER WHETHER SHE HAD ANY LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES. SHE REPLIED, “I’M JUST
A TEACHER. IF YOU WANT TO TALK WITH THE LEADER, HE’S DOWN THE HALL IN THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE.”
BARTH OBSERVES, “IT IS ALARMING THAT THE INDIVIDUALS SO CENTRAL TO THE LEARNING PROCESS SO
OFTEN SEE THEMSELVES AS INCIDENTAL TO THE ENTERPRISE WE CALL SCHOOL.”