NEA Teacher Leadership Competencies: Foundational Competencies

Teacher leaders must constantly grow in their ability to engage effectively with diverse people and groups who differ from them culturally. They seek to understand culture and its predominate impact on individuals and groups of people, yet also understand how the dominate culture can privilege or oppress individuals and groups of people. Finally, teacher leaders must develop the skills to challenge inequities and work with culturally diverse groups to create equitable learning environments for all students.

The Foundational Competencies guide teacher leaders to:

• explore and challenge inequity in the educational system;
   
• collaborate purposefully with individuals and groups from other cultures; and
   
• work to create and support policies and practices that give rise to socially just learning environments.