R277-307. Teacher Leader

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-307.  Teacher Leader.

R277-307-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Section 53E-6-902, which requires the Board to:

          (i)  define the role of a teacher leader; and

          (ii)  establish the minimum criteria for a teacher to qualify as a teacher leader;  and

          (c)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to:

          (a)  define the role of a teacher leader; and

          (b)  establish the minimum criteria for a teacher to qualify as a teacher leader.

R277-307-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Teacher" has the same meaning as defined in Subsection 53E-6-902(1).

          (2)  "Teacher leader" has the same meaning as defined in Subsection 53E-6-902(2).

R277-307-3.  Minimum Criteria for a Teacher Leader.

          An LEA may designate a teacher as a teacher leader if the teacher:

          (1)  has a professional educator license;

          (2)(a)  has an educator evaluation effectiveness rating of effective or highly effective for at least the two years prior to being designated as a teacher leader; or

          (b)  has a successful or equivalent evaluation rating using a local board-approved evaluation system for at least the two years prior to being designated as a teacher leader;

          (3)  demonstrates competence in working with adult learners and peers;

          (4)  demonstrates:

          (a)  consistent leadership;

          (b)  focused collaboration;

          (c)  distinguished teaching; and

          (d)  a commitment to ongoing professional growth; and

          (5)  is recommended by the building administrator to be designated as a teacher leader.

R277-307-4.  Roles of a Teacher Leader.

          (1)  A teacher leader may exhibit leadership in a school through formally or informally designated responsibilities.

          (2)  A teacher leader shall maintain the teacher leader's assignment as a classroom teacher while exercising appropriate leadership responsibilities, consistent with this section.

          (3)  A teacher leader may perform the following functions:

          (a)  Professional learning lead, including:

          (i)  generally supporting school-based professional learning; or

          (ii)  serving as a learning designed or facilitator for professional learning activities;

          (b)  Formally trained and recognized mentor, including:

          (i)  modeling effective instructional strategies for other teachers;

          (ii)  training, supervising, and mentoring:

          (A)  student teachers;

          (B)  new teachers; or

          (C)  teachers that supervise student teachers; or

          (iii)  coaching the development of effective instruction;

          (c)  Lead or master teacher, including:

          (i)  guiding other educators in collecting, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting student-achievement data and using those findings to improve instruction;

          (ii)  leading efforts to modify or improve curriculum; or

          (iii)  facilitating and coordinating professional learning communities;

          (d)  Education policy advocate, including:

          (i)  positively contributing to informed decisions made by policy makers; or

          (ii)  sharing information with colleagues regarding impact of policy on classroom practices;

          (e)  School outreach lead, including:

          (i)  leading specific school improvement initiatives; or

          (ii)  acting as a liaison for community projects; or

          (f)  Education ambassador, including:

          (i)  networking within and beyond local, state, and national education organizations; or

          (ii)  serving on task forces, committees, and advisory boards.

          (4)  An LEA may provide additional incentives to teacher leaders for fulfilling the responsibilities outlined in this section, including:

          (a)  a pay increase, bonus, or other financial incentive; or

          (b)  a reduction in the teacher leader's regular classroom workload.

KEY:  teacher, leader, qualification

Date of Last Change:  January 11, 2022

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-6-902; 53E-3-401(4)

Status of Rule

Effective January 11, 2022

Five-year review January 11, 2027

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Oversight Framework

Uncategorized

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
Title 53E, Chapter 6, Educator Licensing and Professional Practices Act, specifically 53E-6-902

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-301, Educator Licensing

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Katie Jones
katie.jones@schools.utah.gov
Teaching and Learning, Quality Instruction

Secondary Contact:
Katie Hill
katie.hill@schools.utah.gov
Teaching and Learning, Quality Instruction

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This page was last updated on May 23, 2024.

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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