1100 East Washington Road Hinsdale, MA 01235

Networks: Cultivating Principal Instructional Leadership Presenters: Ana Acevedo and Dr. Cordell Jones *

* A GENDA October 17, 2012 Introduction and Overview Successful Network Environments Rich Content Exploration Network Learning as a Conduit to Changed Practice

L EARNING O BJECTIVES Objective: Audience will understand: Principals need specific conditions for effective network learning. Principal networks create system-wide change in schools. Networking benefits principal leadership and the schools they serve. *

G ROUP N ORMS  Be here 100%  Observe confidentiality  Speak and Listen with Respect  Have fun  Believe all is possible  Speak and listen with respect *

T HE F OUNDATION : P ERSONAL R ELATIONSHIPS In the Circle please spend 5 minutes with member introductions: Your Name What brought you to this session (1 sentence) 3 adjectives that others use to describe you *

L EARNING THROUGH T EXT S TUDY Network learning occurs through dialogue. We use texts, video clips, case studies, and modeled practice to provoke rich dialogue. After dialogue we help principals consider how they can translate the concepts, ideas, and processes back into the leadership of their schools. *

Why We Exist… 8 To expand educational opportunity for all students by transforming school leaders into empowered, highly effective change agents capable of catalyzing change and driving increased student achievement at their schools.

Why Leverage Principals? Principals are second only to teachers in their impact on student achievement “To date, we have not found a single case of a school improving its student achievement record in the absence of talented leadership.” Source: Louis, Leithwood, Wahlstrom & Anderson (2010). Learning from leadership: Investigating the links to improved student learning. 9

SLN Principals Become Highly Effective Instructional Leaders 10

Design For Leading Shaping a vision of academic success for all students, one based on high standards Creating a climate hospitable to education in order that safety, a cooperative spirit, and other foundations of fruitful interaction prevail Cultivating leadership in others so that teachers and other adults assume their part in realizing the school vision Improving instruction to enable teachers to teach at their best and students to learn at their utmost; laser- like focus on the quality of instruction Managing people, data and processes to foster school improvement

Design for Leading: Seeing it in Practice Read Case Study: Jack Britt High School What examples do you see in this case study of effective school practices? For each example, how would you classify the practice using the Design for Leading Framework? Take notes on template.

* C ONTENT D EBRIEF Journal: What new insights and understandings emerged from the text and dialogue? How might you translate what you discussed into your own leadership practice? Again in small groups, discuss and prepare to share

L EARNING FROM S ELF -E XPLORATION New learning also emerges from principal dialogue about the realities of their schools. They discuss: Their problems associated with leadership Their future actions leading The core barriers to student achievement and how to overcome them. *

T HE S CHOOL L EADERS N ETWORK Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future “Even among friends, starting a conversation can take courage. But conversation also gives us courage. Thinking together, deciding what actions to take, more of us become bold. And we become wiser about where to use our courage. As we learn from each other’s experiences and interpretations, we see the issue in richer detail. We understand more of the dynamics that have created it. With this clarity, we know what actions to take and where we might have the most influence.” Page 21 Have you experienced this to be true in your own experience? *

* 3 A’ S P ROTOCOL : A SK, A FFIRM, A DD In triads: Reflect in writing: What is an initiative/system at your campus/district that you are implementing that you think needs to be improved to make greater impact for students and why? Person A shares the initiative/system that needs to be improved and why. Person B and Person C Ask clarifying questions. Person B and Person C Affirm something about what Person A shared. Person B and Person C Add something/suggestion something that could be a possible solution or something to think about when thinking about a solution. Switch.

W HOLE G ROUP D EBRIEF In small groups reflect together and be ready to share What do you feel you gained in the dialogue? What conditions helped you to share? When would experiences like this be appropriate for you as a learner? As a leader? Spokesperson sharing *

SLN Principals Enact Change with Support Principals Lead Change Focused on Student Outcome Strategy Supported and Encouraged by Peers 18

19 Principals Learn Instructional Leadership Skills and Practices Principals Voluntarily Join Effective Networking Experience Principals Experience Safe Trustworthy Environment Principals Experience Relevant Learning Other Principals are Learners Ownership of focus Principals Risk Sharing Leadership Vulnerabilities Principals Model Being Vulnerable Strong Norms Principals Explore New Ideas in Collaborative Dialogue Principals Reflect About How Learning Applies to Them and their School

N ETWORKS AS A C ONDUIT FOR C HANGE How do principals describe their experiences in their network learning? How do principals describe the impact of their network learning? *

SLN Meeting Experience 21

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Q UESTIONS AND A NSWERS *

Ana Ramos Acevedo Regional Director Dr. Cordell Jones Principal, Alamo Heights Junior School