From problems to possibilities : Discovering the hidden talent of teacher leadership through appreciative inquiry in public school organization
Date of Award
7-2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Education (M. Ed.)
Department
Professional Development Centre, Karachi
Abstract
This research study aimed at exploring the hidden talents of teacher leadership (TL) to improve teaching processes in a public sector school organization in District Ghanche, through employing Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as a method of data collection and as a tool for teacher leadership improvement. The role of teachers as leaders is considered very important in all contexts because of their great potential through active involvement in school organizational development. For that they need continuous efforts to enhance their leadership capacity through identifying their strengths. AI provides opportunities to focus on strengths-based approaches by capitalising teachers leadership talents. The assumption behind these approaches is that something works well in every individual and organization and can further be developed through mutual trust and collaboration. The primary findings of this study confirm that using appreciative inquiry is a powerful tool to enhance leadership qualities in school teachers. Research participants got energies through mutual trust building and positive language found in appreciative inquiry processes. Although, within short span of time, they experienced many innovative leadership approaches such as co-planning, co-teaching, peer-coaching and conducting workshops and providing feedback to each other. Furthermore, significant change in perceptions and practices regarding teacher leadership was also witnessed in research participants where teacher leadership in the study engaged students to lead the co-curricular activities in their school. This paradigm shift from teacher leadership to students’ leadership was the breakthrough of the study. The study has substantiated that teacher leadership in public sector school can be enhanced through collaborative and appreciative approaches.
Recommended Citation
Raza, G. (2014). From problems to possibilities : Discovering the hidden talent of teacher leadership through appreciative inquiry in public school organization (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.