Common Focus; the Beginning of Successful Change

Tomorrow, our leadership team continues our discussion of what Classroom 10 (our 21st Century Learning model) looks and sounds like. We have a definition and know the components of the model; what we need is to ensure that when we are in classrooms we have common focus and understanding of what we are seeing compared to what we should be seeing if the curriculum is implemented with fidelity. As a leadership team, our goal for the year is to ensure that when we visit classrooms we will make judgments that result in giving similar feedback to support individual teacher and team growth.

Given our varied knowledge and experiences this is a stretch goal for many of us. We will need to differentiate our delivery model and take advantage of the expertise that some bring to this work to support the learning of others. These are two strategies that we have not yet been able to successfully implement in our leadership staff development that I believe are now possible and necessary. It is possible because for the first time we are approaching that point where our team has a common vision and focus on how to make this vision come alive in classrooms.

Tomorrow when I speak to this I am sure there will be some eye rolling and desire to "get on with the work", but I will persevere through this because I have come to understand the importance of what the DuFours and others have identified as the foundation of Professional Learning Communities; vision, mission, values, and goals. In the absence of this foundation there will not be common focus and groups will struggle with persistence when obstacles emerge that drain energy and move the focus from students to staff.

I have many questions as we continue this work, but know that we will reach our leadership goal for the year. Can we successfully bring our vision to all classrooms? Yes, over time we can. It will take adaptive changes to our staff development model because current practices have not been successful at implementing and sustaining system wide change. One of those changes must be common mission and vision at the building and team level aligned with that of the leadership team. Only then will we be positioned to focus resources and identify practices that result in:

Quality Learning

Every Day

In

Every Classroom

for Every Child