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 kenkyushunin (chief school research) development in-service teachers through school-based training, lesson studies, peer mentorship, and student guidance. Extant literature was analyzed enable an in-depth understanding their role. The findings indicated roles as educator could be categorized teachers, researcher, coach, curriculum developer, broker. However, gatekeeper not confirmed. Further, behaviors each these were also discussed. It found that, educator, conducts studies joint research relating practice teaching with colleagues undertakes teachers.