MASTERING THE ART AND SCIENCE

OF LEADING: A HEROIC JOURNEY

Elizabeth A. Clark, Ed.D.Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

LEADERSHIPis a

LEARNING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The complexity of the current educational reform agenda demands courageous, responsible, determined action on the

part of all who believe that preparing our children for life in the 21st Century is both a national priority and a moral

responsibility.“The Heroes Journey”

John Brown and Cerylle A. Moffett

Soaring Beyond Expectation

“What we know is that the “principal is the critical ingredient without which K-12 public schools cannot improve.”

English

ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH

The ability of the organization to function effectively, to cope adequately, to change appropriately, and to grow within.

Marvin FairmanOHDDC

MOVING FROM CURRENT STATUS TO PREFERRED FUTURE

Current Status

Vision of Preferred

Future

Strategic Action

Birdville ISD

We are creating environments where learning is not optional but required.Learning is the new guarantee.

The world is now the classroom and ourStudents must compete globally.

Too many students are not learning at the required levels of rigor and developing 21st Century skills.

WHAT ARE THE NEW REQUIREMENTS?

SCHOOL STRUCTURES VS. STUDENTS AND STAFF

Our current structures for schooling are exhausted. Today, it is becoming “agonizingly

difficult” (Hargreaves & Fullan, 1998) for educators at all levels to respond to the

needs of children as well as adults in the system.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE

OUR WORK SO DIFFICULT?

National, State, and Local Standards

Assessments (STAAR, Common Assessments, Benchmarks)

Emerging Technology

Researched-based Practices Cultural Changes Political Issues

Demographic Changes Structural Changes Policies and

MandatesCommunity

PerceptionsOrganizational

Changes Budget Issues

WHAT ARE THE DRAGONS AT THE GATE?

HOW DO WE SLAY THE DRAGONS?Any attempts at addressing these issues will not succeed without fundamental and heroic changes in the: way we perceive each

other, way we work together,

and manner in which we

respond to change both internally and externally. Research Information Europa

Science Ltd

HOW DO WE GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

In times of darkness and confusion that test our minds, hearts, and spirits, we have often looked to heroes of other times and places to give us courage and hope.

We do not have to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us.

THE PATRIOT

1. What was heroic about what you just saw?

2. Discuss with your elbow partner.

Fight for the right thing

Ability to persevere even in the tough times

Willingness to take action in the face

of oppositio

n

Leads to success in a spiritual, if not physical way with strength and

courage

Moral Greatness

Perseverance

Leadership

Takes Action

FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF HEROISM

WHO ARE THE HEROES?Heroes are those who: Find or create a vision of a

preferred future Take other people to a place they

would not have gone by themselves—lift people up to a high place

Create a climate for others to prosper to be inspired, supported, and encouraged

Act boldly and courageously Build new coalitions around the

new vision

WHO IS THE HEROIC EDUCATOR?

The heroic educator is not an isolated, charismatic, or superhuman individual

who hands down miraculous answers from on high.

IRONMAN scifistudios

INSTEAD, THIS IS A PERSON LIKE US, WHO MIGHT SAY:

“Come with me. We can do this together.”

He or she could be a colleague who, by virtue of being a

little farther down the road, can look back

and say:

“I’ve been there, and it’s not so bad around the bend. Don’t worry. I know it feels pretty dark right here. But there is light up ahead.”

In effect, we are all heroes immersed in a quest to help each other, to help children, to help our schools and school systems respond to the increasingly complex demands of the world in which we now live.

Could I Possibly be a Hero?

The definition of heroism in modern education is the act and process involving collective will and vision.

Educators working in isolation can, at times, perform miracles. But what is the toll, and how long can isolated heroism be sustained?

Heroes of Modern Education

Each of us is in a position to influence the experiences children have in schools.

Together, we have embarked on a spiritual, intellectual, and social journey, a quest for personal and organizational transformation in the face of mounting problems and contradictions.

Heroes of Modern Education

To take the hero’s journey is to: expose ourselves to risk and opportunity.

open ourselves up to the possibilities of hope and despair.

be the vehicle that helps students discover the best in themselves, in others, and in the world they inhabit.

embrace the challenge of regaining our sense of shared purpose and recognizing the power of WE.

Heroic Leadership: A Hero’s Journey

“Transformative movement requires

immense individual effort,

communication, training, and

cooperation, plus some luck. Although

some groups or organizations reach

their goals consistently, this level of

effort is difficult to sustain. Excellence

is a dynamic process.”

Robert Quinn

HERO’S JOURNEY

COMPETING PRIORITIESThe essence of leadership is charting out the work with both the SystemsWorld and the LifeWorld in check, not competing or over-shadowing one another, but rather balanced so that the moral and ethical imperatives of educating our youth are not lost.

SYSTEMS WORLD LIFE

WORLD

Managing the Tasks: The Systemsworld in Balance with the Lifeworld of Schools, Tx ASCD Learders of Learners by Elizabeth A. Clark

MAJOR TENETS• The heartbeat (leadership and

followship) of the educational enterprise forms the foundation from which all other functions derive meaning.

• Community happens as a result of people moving from compliance to commitment and ultimately to “roles of covenants.”

• Transformation is a metamorphic process resulting from communities of learning, discourse, creativity, and shared commitments.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS

Adopting a systems perspective Applying the essential statistical

methods Providing leadership to create,

provide, and maintain a healthy environment for work, learning, and continuous improvement

Understanding that what we do must be based on knowledge of the teaching and learning process

Requires pedagogically centered leaders who know and can develop teachers to understand and do what is involved to dramatically improve teaching and learning. They accomplish this by establishing high expectations and by constructing systems that promote learning. Such leaders have the depth of understanding to mentor and guide teachers to practice the craft at exemplary levels.

E.A.Clark

TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS

PEDAGOGICALLY-CENTERED LEADERSHIP

CLARIFYExpectations for staff

FOCUSStaff on the improving the core work of teaching and learning using the curricular standards, lesson design, data, and collaborationCONNECTThe work of the PLC to continuous improvement

Pedagogy

In Birdville ISD, this translates to principals doing the following:

1. Ensure that the curricular standards are taught

2. Have a strong core instructional delivery system (Tier 1)

3. Implement appropriate interventions (Tier 2 &3) with fidelity

4. Use data in a continuous improvement process (PLC) for making instructional decisions

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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MODEL

Heroes Among UsWritten by: Elizabeth A. Clark, Ed.D.

What brings you here to do your workI ask you today?

Was it by accident that we met or were you sent my way?

You have been called into this serviceA hero’s journey you did take.

The road is long and often fraught with confusion and debateBut always resolved, as heroes are, a legend you will make.

Your toil is long and exhaustiveYour work is never done.

You touch the heart, you nourish the mind You create a better way.

Oh, to you who work against all odds,A legacy you will leave.

You take the child the way he comes and teach him every day.It’s not for pay or notoriety, that keeps you steadfast and true.

But rather it’s the hero’s journey and the difference you will make.

The PrayerBy Celine Dion and Josh Groban