Networks of Learning and Leading

NW3 Family of Schools

Toronto District School Board

Gen Ling Chang

Superintendent of Education, Toronto DSB

QUESTIONS Describe the network. How did the networks get started? What is the purpose of the networks? Who are the participants How is this network structured?  Is there a pre-determined

facilitator?  When does the network meet? Who supports the network? (pedagogically and content-wise) What is keeping the network going? How do you know if the network is achieving its purpose? Is this network improving student achievement?  How do you

know? Do you have any advice or cautions for individuals just beginning

their network experience?

How did the networks get started? What is the purpose of the networks?

Equity and Excellence of Outcomes are complex social change

About 11,000 students of which 7,000 are elementary Believe in a service model of leadership FOS EQAO data in 2004 were

Gr3 R 59%; W 61%; M 73% Gr 6 R 65%; W 59%; M 67%

With 6/15 schools less than 49% and 1/15 at 24% in Grade 3

Examine: who are our students? How have we been providing for them

“What is worth fighting for is not allow our schools to be negative by default, but to make them positive by design.”

Question: How do I do it? Question: How do I work to reach the

students and work with Ps; VPs and teachers to effect a social change; to develop ingenuity and innovation in our classrooms and schools.

Question: How do I change the discourse?

“ ….. is about creating a new world – not one created by someone else, but a place created for our students through our own actions. This is the Moral Purpose with a powerful engine.” Fullan & St. Germain

POWERFUL IDEAS Role of Research: theory and data Systems thinking and management Complex problems cannot be solved by linear or single

factor solutions; requires addressing multiple elements yet integrated

Leading is best when it occurs in the context of learning and learning is best when it occurs in the context of leading

The teaching-learning relationship is the most precious resource in our schools

Knowledge and understanding emerges in a community of action, discourse and reflection

The power of narratives and case studies

Why Networks?

Leading occurs while learning and learning

occurs while leading

Structure of learning: inquire, investigate,

discuss, construct and act

Knowledge emerges in a community of activity,

discourse, and reflection

Networks as Engine of Change

Level 1Networks are the infrastructure within which the

elements of resources, protocols and leadership intersect to support the teaching-learning relationship. They allow for multiple points of entry and leverage, therefore organic.

Level 2Community of networks is the support systemwithin which teaching-learning flourishes.

“Successful leaders are able to be simultaneously on the dance floor and the balcony”

Networks of learning and leading:

Key components - Developing the context- Preparing the networks- Supporting the networks- Facilitating the learning – leading congress“The bottom line is that teachers become school-based reformers only

when they take on leadership for important parts of the school that lie beyond their classrooms” Roland Barth

“What is worth fighting for is not allow our schools to be negative by default, but to make them positive by design.” Fullan & St. Germain

Developing the Context: understanding cultures by knowing staff in a

personal way with a high tolerance for honesty and suspend judgement

role of research (theory & data) intentional design and consultation with

critical friends use multiple points of entry and leverage

“The world of knowledge takes a crazy turn when teachers themselves are taught to learn” Bertolt Brecht

Preparing for the Community of Networks human resources learning theory & curriculum of learning bringing about change ongoing review of design and constantly ask

what might not work and why? Phase 1: 5 schools – 4 OFIP and 1 SoM Phase 2: 5 triads – 1 host with 2 member

“Active participation in the collective development of other teachers is a critical competency of

modern teaching.”

Supporting the Networks: Intersection of 4

network models Teachers, literacy coach, principals, SAO and

superintendent (SOE) Principals, literacy coach and SAO/SOE Literacy coaches and superintendents Principals, superintendent and SAO

“The function of ingenuity is not to give new answers, but to pose new questions” Hugh Trevor-Roper

Facilitating the Learning-Leading Congress: Level 1 Evidence of Learning; Better Ideas; Next Actions & what

evidence of learning do we bring to the next session

Level 2 What is the difference that makes the difference: meta-cognition

Level 3 Move from models of thinking to models for thinking i.e. push for generalizations

e.g. Do we agree this strategy will always work? Why is this so? Could we prove it? When is it helpful? When not? Which pattern of strategies over time can be useful generalizable models as tools to think with e.g.TLCP?

FOS Model of Networks 2007 – 2008REVISED as of Nov 2007Using EQAO 4- years trend data (2004 - 2007), the following is our network of support

OFIP Team 1 OFIP Team 2 OFIP Team 3 OFIP Team 4 SoM

Glen Park (6) Baycrest (4) Wilmington (3) CH Best (4) Allenby (2)

Armour Heights (4)

Ancaster (4) Summit Heights (3)

Dublin Heights (5) JRR (2)

Rockford (18) North Prep/APS (4)

Flemington (9) Ledbury (5) J Wanless (2)

Faywood (4)

Glenview (1)

OFIP Teams PLLT 1 PLLT 2 PLLT 3 PLLT 4

Wilmington/Summit/Flemington#

Glen Park (RR/OFIP) Allenby Fisherville (VP) Fisherville (P)

Glen Park/Armour/Rockford^ Rockford (EYLP/ECE) John Ross Robertson Glenview (VP) Glenview (P)

Baycrest/Ancaster/N. Prep+ Armour Heights J. Wanless (EYNP/ECE)

CH Best (OFIP) Lawrence Park

Best/Dublin/Faywood/Ledbury* Baycrest (RR/OFIP) Wilmington (RR/OFIP)

Dublin Heights Northview Heights

SoM Team North Prep/APS Flemington (RR) Faywood S.S. Fleming

JRR/Allenby/John Wanless* Ancaster (EYNP) Summit Heights Ledbury (EYNP) W.L. Mackenzie

Yorkdale

6 Ps; 2 VPs 6 Ps; 5 VPs 5 Ps; 6 VPS 7 Ps; 9 VPs

NW3 Professional Learning & Leading Teams (PLLT)

MONTH/DATE PLLT 1 MONTH/DATE

PLLT 2 MONTH/DATE PLLT 3 PLLT 4

TIME 10:00 – 12:00 TIME 1:00 – 3:00 TIME 10:00 – 12:00 4:00 – 5:30

Tues. Oct. 09/07 Glen Park Thu. Oct. 11/07 Allenby Wed. Oct. 10/07 Fisherville Fisherville

Thu. Nov. 08/07* *LNS *LNS Wed. Nov. 07/07 *LNS Lawrence Park

Tues. Dec. 04/07 Armour Heights

Thu. Dec. 06/07 J. Wanless Wed. Dec. 05/07 CH Best Northview

Wed. Jan. 16/08* *LNS *LNS Wed. Jan. 16/08 *LNS SS Fleming

Tues. Feb. 12/08 North Prep Thu. Feb.14/08 Flemington Wed. Feb.13/08 Faywood Mackenzie

Tues. Apr. 08/08* *LNS *LNS Wed. Apr.09/08 *LNS Yorkdale

Tues. May 06/08 Rockford Thu. May 08/08 Wilmington Wed. May 07/08 Ledbury Fisherville

REVISED SCHEDULE OF PLLT MEETINGS 2007- 2008

How do you know if the network is achieving its purpose? Is this network improving student achievement?  How do you know?

Changes in discourse of teachers and leaders Knowledge creation especially at the meta-

cognitive level Evidence of learning & leading – staff and

students Culture of collective action: “what do we want to

do next” and adaptive solutions Impact on student thinking, sense of belonging

and voice, in particular in their work Students achievement results e.g. EQAO

How do you know if the network is achieving its purpose? Is this network improving student achievement?  How do you know?

I became Superintendent of Education of NW3 in 2004.Our 2004 EQAO results are Gr3 R 59%; W 61%; M 73%

Gr 6 R 65%; W 59%; M 67% OSSLT 73% Gr. 9 Math 75%Our 2007 EQAO results are Gr3 R 70%; W 71%; M 77% Gr 6 R 79%; W 71%; M 74% OSSLT 83% Gr. 9 Math 75%Our collective work made a difference to students

achievement. The growth is striking!

Do you have any advice or cautions for individuals just beginning their network experience?

To quote T.S. Eliot“We shall not cease from explorationAnd the end of all our exploringWill be to arrive where we startedAnd know the place for the first time”

So, there is no recipe or bandwagon …. ButWhat makes life fun and work meaningful is theact of re-creation.