Full Description
"At last, we have a book that provides practical, day-to-day advice for administrators to consider when establishing a learning community. Daresh helps school leaders both understand the importance of their personal values about shared leadership and appreciate how individuals within the school, district, and community are essential to building a shared learning community. The wealth of examples and school-based scenarios illustrate how these ideas translate into practice. A wonderful resource for a book study for teachers and principals."
—Bruce Barnett, Professor
University of Texas at San Antonio
"Daresh continues his legacy of bridging scholarship and practice within a context of strengthening school cultures by supporting positive interactions between all the people who interact within and around them. As usual, his tone is friendly and approachable, and his points to ponder are both practical and compelling. Aspiring, new, and experienced principals will benefit from the structured opportunity afforded by this book to reflect on their own values and how these values shape their leadership."
—Mary Beth Cunat, Assistant Principal
Burley School, Chicago, NY
Raise student achievement by building a community of ALL stakeholders—both within and around your school!
Written for both new and experienced principals, this resource provides a blueprint for building visionary learning communities that improve student learning not only by shaping the internal school community—faculty and staff—but also by creating a partnership with the external community—district educators, families, community organizations, and service agencies.
Reflecting contemporary research and the authors' extensive work with principals, the book includes scenarios that illustrate the work of real principals in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Administrators will find invaluable assistance from Practical Tips that offer strategies for implementation, Points for Practice that highlight critical concepts, and Points to Ponder that promote reader reflection. Each chapter encourages school leaders to consider what community building means for their own schools and provides guidance for:
Building a vision based on your personal and professional values
Shaping a school culture that supports teamwork
Honoring school staff members at all levels
Examining and understanding the external environment
Drawing effectively on community support services
Collaborating with district staff
Improve Learning by Building Community helps principals bring together all stakeholders to create the kind of schools that can ensure success for every student.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. It All Begins With You
General Information About Educational Platforms
A Normative Use of a Platform
Returning to Motley Elementary School
Points for Practice
References
2. Creating a Shared Vision
Developing a Vision
Articulating the Vision
Implementing the Vision
Monitoring the Vision
Creating a Vision: Returning to Carpenter Middle School
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
References
3. Foundations for Community Building
Definitions
Operationalizing Community Beyond Structure
Returning to the Administrative Team at Ridgmoor Middle School
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
References
4. Focusing on Culture Is More Than Good Manners
On Climate and Culture
Development of Culture and Climate Research
Putting the Theory Into Practice
Returning to Manchester
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
References
5. Studying Your External Environment
Analytic Framework
Historical Thumbnail for the Riverport Community and Hilley High School
Structural Dimension of Riverport
Human Resource Dimension of Riverport
Political Dimension of Riverport
Symbolic Dimension of Riverport
Back to Pete
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
References
6. Working With Community Groups and Parents
Parent Concerns
Community Concerns
Returning to Cheshire School
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
Reference
Additional Suggested Resources
7. Seeing Your Invisible Heroes
Security Staff
Office Workers
Custodial Staff
Food Service Workers
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
References
8. Services in the Community
Students in Physical Danger
Drug or Substance Abuse
Student Mental or Physical Health
Family Turmoil
Returning to La Casa Blanca Schools and Bustamente Elementary
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
9. Support From Central Administration
What Makes It Hard to Change Schools?
Key People to Keep Informed
Chapter Summary
Points for Practice
References
Index
