Marveling at the Results: Effective Leadership and Teacher
Collaboration
Kristin DaviesBeth Gedde
Monica GregoryLynne Scott
Shannon SchaalJennese Morauski
Florida Gulf Coast University
December 1, 2011
Professional Learning Communities
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAlZRwCPO9w
Hickory Ridge High SchoolDemographics
Student Population 1,800 students 15% Special Education 46% White 40% African-American 12% Hispanic 2% Asian or other
Staff Population 40% < 30 years of age 40% >= 51 years of age and older ¾ White, not of Hispanic origin 60% earned Master’s Degrees
Need for ReformVarious reforms initiated unsuccessfullyChosen to be model school
Become a technologically driven, innovative school system
Implement throughout Wingfield District
Need for ReformMain issues
Transformation within the school cultureEffective leadership – both administration and
teachersTeacher collaboration and collegial coaching
“Meaningful participation is a cornerstone of professional communities - a stone that we often leave unturned” - Lambert
Need for Cultural ChangeProfessional Learning Communities (PLCs)Develop vision/mission statements
Collaborative processCommon interests, goals, aspirations
Effective LeadershipManagement and Leadership
Expected to be a combination of bothDevelop skills and knowledge
Successful leadership PracticesLeadership affects learningMany sources (stakeholders) of leadership within a
schoolCreate vision and culture that focuses on teaching and
learningRespond to policy demands and guide successful actionsRespond to diversity and build communities that expose
cultural capital
Effective LeadershipDynamic Leadership
ForecastingSustainingPlanning
Implementing School ReformReform effort led by strong leader
Change agentTeacher leaders
Change ProcessStage 1: what needs to be changedStage 2: are people ready for changeStage 3: Increase knowledgeStage 4: Examine data and more needs of change
Implement Professional Learning Communities
Support and EmpowermentCulturally empowered department
Analysis of current department culture and governance
Compelling vision of empowered organizationSharing information with department
stakeholdersSharing authority, tasks, and accountabilitiesCommitment to ideas, not personalitiesAutonomy within boundariesReplacing the old hierarchy with self-directed
teams
Support and EmpowermentProfessional Development
Attend to needs of teachersBuilt upon inquiries and concerns Facilitate development of mutual relationshipsPromote opportunities for advocacy
Types of Professional DevelopmentCommunities of practiceActive Support
TechnologyTechnological Implementation
Technology- based industry toursForums for pilot programs Professional Learning Communities
Collaboration where participants feel welcome/comfortable to ask questions
Significant role in transformation and implementation
Dialogue and process of inquiry Feeling of value
ConclusionSuccessful Reform
Cultural transformation within the schoolEffective leadershipTeacher collaboration and collegial coaching
ActivityTogether We Are One
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