The Benefits of Implementing Communities of Practice for Site Leaders @connectedorg Michael Moore Consultant @IncreaseLeaders Louise J Santiago, PhD Leadership Coach @louisejsantiago
JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON TWITTER Use to talk with others at the convention Use @louisejsantiago to quote Louise Use @IncreaseLeaders to quote Michael Use @connectedorg to refer to ConnectEd Use #LinkedLearning to talk about Linked Learning
About ConnectEd ConnectEd partners with school, district, and community leaders to transform education through Linked Learning pathways so that all students, regardless of background, are prepared to succeed in college, career, community, and life. www.connectedcalifornia.org
The Benefits of Implementing Communities of Practice for Site Leaders
Agenda Project Description and Background Panel Discussion Fishbowl Activity of Community of Practice (CoP) Concluding Comments, Q&A
Lessons for Districts to Support LL Principals as They Lead Instructional Change 1. Recognize that Linked Learning principals have distinct learning needs. 2. Provide resources to cultivate learning relationships among the principals and facilitate their meetings. 3. Recognize the value of sharing resources and strategies among district principals. 4. Foster communication between principals and administrators. 5. Articulate clear pathway goals and then provide sufficient resources to schools. SCOPE Practitioner Brief, Jan 2015
Site Leader Framework Define Success Ensure Equity Lead Instruction Distribute Leadership Integrate Initiatives How do Pathways lead to student success as defined by the school s graduate profile? What beliefs and values does the principal need to make continually transparent? What does instructional leadership look like in a Linked Learning context? What leadership actions are best done by the principal and which are more effective when distributed to others? How does the leader integrate Linked Learning work with the Common Core, the district s master plan, and other work-streams?
Stuart Foundation Research Project Facilitated Site Leader Community of Practice (SLCOP) Facilitator training and Facilitator CoP Year 1: External Facilitator Support Year 2: Internal Facilitator Development Year 3: Maintain support for district led and owned SLCOP Commitment: 2 hours/month No supervisorial members District agrees to not schedule conflicting meetings or requirements
Communities of Practice (CoP) Etienne Wenger s elements of a CoP Community Domain Practice Distinction: Knowledge Stewarding
Communities of Practice (CoP) -Etienne Wenger Community Knowledge Stewarding Domain Practice
Arc of SLCOP Development
Community Panel Question: How has your relationship shifted between you and your colleagues at other school sites as a result of the SLCOP?
Domain Panel Question: What part of the SLF has been your focus? Define Success Ensure Equity Lead Instruction Distribute Leadership Integrate Initiatives
Practice Panel Question: Describe a sample site level Problem of Practice and how it connects to a larger, district-wide PoP.
Site Leader CoP Fishbowl Activity 3-5 volunteers to members of a Site Leader Community of Practice Conversation topic: Consider your strongest pathway/academy What is next for their growth as a pathway What is your role in supporting desired growth What are possible concerns to address that might inhibit desired growth
Benefits of a Community of Practice (CoP) Shift in tonality when engaging as colleagues ability to show up differently in a safe space: able to be vulnerable Facilitator support guiding through co-creative processes sometimes that means putting a marker in someone s hand and asking them to step up to the white board Process of articulating Problem(s) of Practice (PoP) honest conversation about what is come up with forward action True ownership of own problems, dilemmas, work
ENVISIONING ACTION What have you learned here that you want to talk to others about back home? What steps can you take to support & develop site leaders in your district?
Questions?
LEARNING MORE If you are interested in: learning more about supporting leaders, gaining access to the Site Leader Toolkit or finding out how your district can participate in the project: Leave your contact information on the sheet provided and one of our project team members will get in touch Thank-you! Daphannie Stephens, dstephens@connectedcalifornia.org
CONTACT INFORMATION AND LINKS Michael Moore: Michael@increaseconsulting.net Louise J. Santiago: Louisejsantiago@gmail.com Daphannie Stephens: dstephens@connectedcalifornia.org coaching@connected.org www.connectedcalifornia.org