What do Teachers Think about School Leadership Competences and their Pre-Service Training?

Abstract

Competencies for school leadership in the initial training of teachers are necessary because the teaching action in the classrooms must be allied with leadership and the optimal organization of the educational institution and this includes competences for coordination and networking with the community. This article focuses on the views on these competencies of teaching staff and school leaders who collaborate on the practicum stage of students. To this end, a multiple case study is conducted using mixed methodology, with the participation of three pre-school and primary schools. The study sample (n=20) is made up of members of management teams and teachers who are working in pre-school or the two first years of primary school. The instrument used is an ad hoc questionnaire, distributed online during the 2016-2017 academic year. The results show that teachers and principals perceive that, from all the teaching functions, coordination is the less developed although it is the most important, above leadership and the relationship with the socio-educational environment. Teachers, they consider that the following competencies, related to leadership, can be improved: conflict resolution, complex situations analysis, classroom management and relationship with families and entities in the educational context.

Keywords

• liderazgo
• coordinación de la educación
• docente
• competencias del docente
• formación de docentes.