Innovative Leadership Strategies in Enhancing Teacher Engagement

Abstract

This study investigated the innovative leadership strategies employed by school leaders in Basud District to enhance teacher engagement during the school year 2024-2025, focusing on collaborative school-based management, continuous professional development and training, technological integration and support, and mentorship and peer support practices. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, data were gathered from all 260 elementary teachers through total enumeration, utilizing a researcher-made survey questionnaire on a 4-point Likert scale. Findings revealed that all leadership strategies were highly employed, with collaborative decision-making and technology integration receiving the highest ratings. Leadership practices were likewise rated as highly effective, particularly in fostering teamwork and strengthening professional commitment. Correlational analysis indicated a strong, significant positive relationship between innovative leadership strategies and teacher engagement (p = .000), with collaborative school-based management showing the strongest association. Challenges identified included time constraints, limited financial resources, unstable internet connectivity, and insufficient time for mentorship. These results underscore the crucial role of innovative leadership in enhancing cognitive, emotional, and social teacher engagement, though resource limitations hinder full implementation. The study concludes that innovative leadership strategies significantly enhance teacher engagement and proposes Project T.E.A.M. (Teachers Engaged in Action and Management) as a capacity-building intervention to reinforce collaboration, professional development, technology integration, and mentorship among teachers in the district.