The “Cultivating Persistence and Leadership Development in Science Master Teachers'' (MTF) project will build leadership capacity in high-need environments by creating a community of practice and through the integration of video analysis to improve pedagogical and content knowledge related to implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). MTFs will be immersed in research-based teacher and leadership professional development designed to develop mastery of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to lead from the classroom.

This project will attempt to diminish the effects of attrition-related factors through the implementation of a structured professional development and leadership program designed to support these retention-related factors in order to cultivate teacher persistence. This goal is operationalized through the following project objectives, describing measurable outcomes for the 20 MTFs:

• MTFs will demonstrate enhanced knowledge and skills in disciplinary and pedagogical content, research-based instructional practices, and leadership practices. 

• MTFs will display an increased use of research-based instructional and assessment strategies in their own science teaching during classroom observations. 

• MTFs will exhibit increased engagement in leadership activities at the school and district level.

• MTFs will demonstrate an increased level of cultural awareness and competence associated with different urban and rural contexts. 

• MTFs will engage in individual and organizational changes that reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction and teacher persistence.