What Is The Teacher Leader’s Role Bringing Best Practices to Our School Right Now

Teachers must answer: WHY I DO THIS WORK

Many involved in “school re- invention work” would argue that change is the most talked about and least acted upon concept in education today.

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. Nelson Mandela

HOPE is not a PLAN

IT’S ABOUT ACTION

What got us to where we are in education today, will not get us to where we need to be!

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind there are few.” -Shurnyu Suzuki

Scenario As “teacher leaders” selected by your peers, you are to assume that you teach in a school that is “in decline.” You must assign groups to assist you with the following problem. Study the following symptoms and write a plan that you as a leaders with the support of your group can propose and help implement. You may decide that you cannot address some symptoms. Be sure to define the problems and those involved.

Symptom #1: Lack of leadership – The principal is not providing focus and direction around addressing key priorities. Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Daniel Duke, University of VA

Symptom #2: More rules and harsher punishments – Schools in decline often experience more student behavior problems, sending them into a downward spiral of increasingly harsh disciplinary measures and loss of instructional time and trusting relationships. Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #3: Lost Focus – The School lacks clear academic priorities. If everything seems to be a priority time nothing is a priority. This leads to wasted resources. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #4: Poor Alignment – Classroom instruction is not lined up with standards and assessment is not aligned to instruction; students are blindsided. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #5: Inadequate monitoring of progress at the student, classroom and site level. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #6: Ineffective staff development – Schools that begin to decline are frequently the recipients of one-shot in-service programs and staff development. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #7: Lower staff expectations – Teachers increasingly give up on struggling student and don’t hold themselves to high standards of professional practice. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #8: Undifferentiated assistance – students who are having difficulty are assigned to generic supplementary programs with a lot of repetition and extended practice. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #9: Rigid daily schedule – The inflexibility of the daily schedule prevents students from getting timely and targeted help. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #10: Hasty hiring – It is tempting for principals in declining schools to approach the hiring process fatalistically. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #11: Increased class size – Class sizes mushroom, making it difficult for even the best teachers to be productive. Daniel Duke, University of VA

Twelve Symptoms of a School in Decline Symptom #12: Overreliance on untrained helpers – Programs to help struggling students are often staffed by volunteers, teacher aides, and unqualified personnel. Daniel Duke, University of VA

What will your game plan will be? Strategy:

CAUTION There is no silver bullet!

Risk more than others think is possible, dream more than others think is practical.

Teacher Leaders are Committed and Passionate