Teacher Leadership Isn’t About Being Bossy, It’s About Being Brave
The Virtual Vibe: Success and Sanity for the Online Teacher
August 25, 2025
You just realized three students submitted assignments in the wrong format again. Meanwhile, a colleague emails asking for advice on a parent complaint, and another pings you about grading discrepancies. If you’re a teacher leader, you ask questions, you advocate, and yes, you solve it without losing your mind. Being a teacher leader isn’t about being the hero of everyone’s chaos; it’s about guiding with clarity and helping others find their own solutions.
Administrator Insight: Teacher leaders in online environments are often expected to juggle multiple responsibilities and support colleagues, but they can’t do it alone. Coaching your teacher leaders on handling conflict, advocating effectively, and solving problems strategically is critical. Regular check-ins, mentoring, and professional development ensure teacher leaders are empowered, not left to figure it all out by themselves.
Ask Questions, Don’t Assume
The quickest way to tank your credibility as a teacher leader is to assume you know everything. Spoiler alert: you don’t. Effective teacher leaders ask questions, especially in virtual classrooms where context can easily get lost in emails, discussion boards, or video chats. Check in with colleagues about their experiences with tools, student engagement, or assignment workflows before making decisions. Jumping to conclusions is the fast lane to chaos and nobody wants to be stuck in your traffic jam.
Example: A parent emails stating that a teacher never called their child back. Instead of assuming the teacher is neglectful, ask questions and dig deeper. You might discover that the student wasn’t being truthful or there was miscommunication. By investigating before jumping to conclusions, you protect your colleague and model thoughtful problem-solving.
Strategy to stay grounded: Schedule a weekly “listening hour” where you intentionally connect with one or two colleagues online, asking open-ended questions about their challenges and successes. This keeps you focused on what’s really important instead of reacting to every problem that pops into your inbox.
Solve Problems, Don’t Punt
Teacher leadership is about offering a better way forward. See an issue with student engagement, submission errors, or workflow confusion? Don’t just point it out. Offer an alternative workflow, a tool, or a tweak to the schedule. Being a problem identifier is easy. Being a problem solver earns the respect and influence of a true online teacher leader.
Example: A colleague on your team consistently falls behind on grading or responding to emails. Instead of making side comments to others, step in as a supportive teacher leader: offer coaching, share time-management tools, and provide encouragement. Model problem-solving instead of gossip; this builds respect and helps your teammate improve.
Advocate, Don’t Complain
If your teacher leadership style is 90 percent griping in staff chats and 10 percent action, congratulations: you’re not leading, you’re a human megaphone for negativity. Teacher leaders step up. They advocate for others—students, parents, and peers alike. They look for solutions instead of rehearsing the same complaints on discussion boards or chat channels. People notice and respect action more than whining.
Example: You notice that a new procedure from administration wasn’t clearly communicated, and everyone on your team is confused. Instead of assuming the worst or venting frustrations, reach out for clarification. Often, it’s just a simple oversight or human error. By modeling calm inquiry, you help prevent rumors, reduce stress for your team, and maintain credibility as a teacher leader.
Handle the Flood: When You Can’t Solve Everything
Teacher leaders are often bombarded with everyone else’s problems; sometimes it feels like the world is landing in your inbox. Reality check: you can’t solve everything, and you shouldn’t have to.
Strategies:
Prioritize and triage: Decide which issues require your immediate action and which can be guided instead.
Empower others: Show colleagues how to advocate for themselves or direct them to the appropriate resource.
Example: A teacher on your team is having a conflict with another colleague and isn’t sure how to handle it. Instead of stepping in to take sides, coach them on approaching the situation calmly: suggest documenting concerns, communicating directly with the other teacher professionally, and involving leadership only if necessary. By guiding them rather than solving it for them, you empower your team to handle issues independently and maintain professional relationships.
Get Your Own Poop in a Pile
Finally, remember people look up to you. They notice when your stuff is messy—literally or figuratively. Being a teacher leader means modeling professionalism, follow-through, and integrity. Keep your virtual classroom organized, maintain clear communication, and get your own poop in a pile. If your own workload isn’t in order, you’re going to have a hard time inspiring others to organize theirs.
Teacher leadership is messy, overwhelming, and sometimes hilarious, but if you ask questions, advocate wisely, guide problem-solving, and get your own poop in a pile, you’ll not only survive, but you’ll also inspire.
Pause, Ponder & Progress
When was the last time you asked a colleague for their perspective before making a decision in your online environment?
Action: Schedule at least one listening session this week.Are you spending more time complaining about issues or actively solving them?
Action: Pick one recurring issue to create a solution plan.What’s one problem in your online classroom or team that you could tackle differently today?
Action: Implement one small workflow adjustment.How are you modeling accountability, organization, and professionalism for those who look up to you?
Action: Review your online workspace and communications for clarity and consistency.
About the Author
With over 20 years in education - most of them spent in the virtual trenches - Desire’ Mosser has done more than survive online teaching; she’s helped others thrive in it! As the author of SOS: Strategies for Online Survival, she dishes out practical tools, honest lessons, and just the right amount of humor to keep educators going.
Former Pasco eSchool Teacher of the Year and Florida Virtual Schools Mentor of the Year, she continues to champion excellence in virtual learning today. She currently serves as Vice President of B.O.L.D. (Blended Online Learning Discovery of Florida). Her passion? Coaching educators to find their stride, build meaningful connections with students and families, and master the art of scheduling for sanity—preferably with a strong cup of coffee in hand. For more real talk, useful tips, and the occasional caffeine-fueled confession, connect with her on LinkedIn.
