Middle leadership and communities practice: Emerging lessons from a case study

Abstract

Educational inclusion and success for all need professional learning communities and leadership for social justice. The topic is complex. It needs the confluence of an entire community and a shared and co-responsible leadership. The school system has support services that can assume the role of critical colleagues and intermediate and connective leaders. A well-articulated system with leadership networks and with the participation of these middle leaders can be a good solution. This article collects research evidence from a case study from autobiographical perspective on the development of this type of leadership, followed during four school courses. Contextualized and contrasted with discussion groups and in-depth interviews. It concludes that the counselor can exercise this role of intermediate leader, acting as a critical colleague, can exercise this role of intermediate leader, dynamic and interconnector of a professional learning community: i) accompanying transformation processes from collaboration, involvement and closeness; ii) seeking to develop a shared vision; and iii) developing a hybrid professional identity, as counselor and intermediate leader.