Lessons Learned From Schools to Watch

Lessons Learned From Schools to Watch

• 1.
  What Are YouDoing To Create A Climate and Culture of Success at Your School: Lessons Learned From Schools to Watch Presenter: Dr. Irvin Howard [email protected]
• 2.
   Factors Reported by Teachers as Leading to Successful Middle Grade Schools  Our entire faculty created and owned the school vision  Our leadership team shares a specific vision for our school  regarding student learning.  Our faculty committed to every student being known.  Our leadership team had SMART goals for our school  regarding student achievement: SMART = Specific,Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely
• 3.
   Our leadership team collaborated as a Professional Learning Community (PLC).  Our teachers collaborated as a PLC sharing decision-making, students issues/needs, and leadership  Our leadership team was part of a trusted network of  colleagues we could turn to for advice and support within the district. Our faculty committed to relevancy, rigor and interdisciplinary planning and teaching  Our school had a climate and culture I wanted to work in and wanted students to learn in.
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  Successful schools require:  Openly articulating the goal, relinquishing decision-making authority to teachers, and involve teachers before decisions are made (Barth). When teachers are included in the decision-making process ahead of time, they are more likely to implement change. 3/17/2013 4
• 5.
  Vision – WhoOwns It?  The Vision for a school should be developed collaboratively and agreed upon by all who have responsibility for implementing, sustaining and growing it in the future. Without “buy-in” to the vision, there is no common direction, no sense of shared purpose for the school. 3/17/2013 5
• 6.
  Lessons Learned  Structure vs. Instruction  More Talk about Learning vs. Teaching  Collaboration and Cooperation  Persistent in Improvement  No one style of Leader
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  Five Requirements forShared Leadership  Balance of power  Shared Purpose or Goal  Shared Responsibility  Respect  Partnering in the “nitty-gritty” 3/17/2013 7
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  5 Dysfunctions ofa Team  Absense of Trust  Fear of Conflict  Lack of Commitment  Avoidance of Accountability  Inattention to Results 3/17/2013 8
• 9.
  Shared Responsibility Partnerships do work when all participants share responsibility and accountability for the work.  Empowering teachers to work toward a common goal makes them aware of their responsibilities and the important role they play in the group. 3/17/2013 9
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  Partnering in theNitty Gritty  Work together in complex, real- world situations  Conflict is seen as a necessary agent of positive change  Understanding that working collaboratively is smarter, not harder. 3/17/2013 10
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  Question: What isthe biggest mistake in leading instructional improvement?  Ignoring the people in the shool  Lack of clarity in why the change is being made  HINT:  Instructional improvement requires moving from Authoritative Leadership to Adaptive Leadership
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  Adaptive Leadership  Defines learning in terms of skills and knowledge as results  Defines learning from “whole” student down to specific skills  Helps students to learn priority skills deeply  Integrates curriculum – reduces isolation  Curriculum includes some student choice
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  Adopt Effective Instructional Practices  Teach skills in context  Focus on Proficiencies  Look for evidence of good learning  Share best practices  Check for understanding DAILY  Give embedded assessments  Connect instruction to the community
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  Personalize Learning  Make each student feel unique  Connect to “Their World”  Recognize cultural differences  Consider students’ point of view  Be aware of different learning styles  Differentiate instruction  Attend to students with special needs  Intervene EARLY
• 15.
  Focus Where have youbeen, where are you now, and where do you want to be. The journey begins now, or it doesn’t. You decide. I. Howard 3/17/2013 15