Teacher leadership and the Turkish context: the impact of the structural characteristics of the school and teacher leadership culture

Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the structural characteristics of the school and teacher leadership culture on teacher leadership. Design/methodology/approach The correlational research model used the research. The predictors of teacher leadership were identified using hierarchical regression analysis provided by 447 K-12 teachers. Findings The findings revealed that teacher leadership was found to be influenced by school structural factors and teacher leadership culture. While the complexity and formalization sub-dimensions of the structural characteristics are variables that explain teacher leadership, the centralization sub-dimension did not play a significant role. Professional cooperation and administrator support, both sub-dimensions of teacher leadership culture, were found to explain teacher leadership. Originality/value In the literature, teacher leadership have been studied enormously from past to present. It is seen that teacher leadership is affected by school culture and structure. From this point of view, this study focused on the context in which teacher leadership behaviors emerged.