Middle leaders as teacher educators: The case of the Kenkyushunin (chief teacher of school research) in Japan

Currently, Japan needs to create a framework that facilitates improving teachers' professional development-a situation in which teacher educators become vital. This study focuses on the role of the kenkyushunin (chief teacher of school research) in the professional development of in-service teachers through school-based training, lesson studies, peer mentorship, and student guidance. Extant literature was analyzed to enable an in-depth understanding of their role. The findings indicated that the roles of a kenkyushunin as a teacher educator could be categorized as that of a teacher of teachers, researcher, coach, curriculum developer, and a broker. However, their role as a gatekeeper could not be confirmed. Further, their behaviors in each of these roles were also discussed. It was found that, as a school-based teacher educator, the kenkyushunin conducts lesson studies and joint research relating to the practice of teaching with colleagues and undertakes the professional development of teachers.