Teacher leadership is many things. Its is reflecting on your influence and looking at ways to better your skills and attributes as a teacher. This does not always mean a management position. Teacher leadership is something we all owe. I think there can be an attitude that leading something in schools means you aspire to management, but this is not always the case. The things I lead are subjects and areas I am passionate about and enjoy sharing with pupils, staff and families.

My enthusiasm and expertise in International Education and Global Citizenship is an area I have been able to lead within my school. This has lead to many opportunities such as a seconded post to Glasgow’s International Education Service and working with the British Council. In these positions, I have had many leadership opportunities from delivering training, writing case studies and modelling good practice, for teachers in Scotland and n European.

As part of my PRD discussions with my SMT, it was suggested that I also apply for Glasgow aspiring middle leaders course. I was success in gaining a place. The TLP and Aspiring Middle Leader courses have very similar outcomes and ask that we keep a reflective diary. In an effort to keep my workload manageable, I will combine my reflective journal and my leadership blog for the duration of both courses.

As part of the Glasgow run course, we have been asked to read and reflect upon leadership and given reading from two texts – Effective School Leaders by John MacBeath and Leadership Matters 3.0 by Andy Buck. The chapter in Andy Buck’s book about influencing others particularly resonated with me. This is leadership is me. Influencing others in a positive way to get the best for our learners.