Marveling at the Results: Effective Leadership and

Teacher Collaboration

Kristin DavieBeth 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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