Connections
the Journal of the National School Reform Faculty
Connections
the Journal of the National School Reform Faculty
Spring 2010
By Laura Marshall
“Tools for Leaders: Indispensable Graphic Organizers, Protocols, and Planning Guidelines for Working and Learning Together”
By Marjorie Larner
New York Scholastic Inc., 2007(click here to view protocols discussed in this article)
Marjorie Larner is a former teacher and administrator who is currently Site Coordinator for University Partnerships at the Denver Center for International Studies, International Studies Schools Network Consultant, and Co-Director of Colorado Critical Friends Group.
Marjorie is the author of two other books - Pathways: Charting a Course for Professional Learning (Heinemann 2004), and “Access to Power: From School to Life,” in a collection, The Right to Literacy in Secondary Schools: Creating a Culture of Thinking (TC Press 2008).
This concise, compact, ready to photocopy guidebook, written for the leaders of “professional learning communities” (PLCs), is a gift to the fast-paced life of school improvement advocates.
My own experience as a teacher and school improvement leader in a “low-performing” school is that change is constant and we must be “sharpening the saw” (as Steven Covey puts it) every year in order to keep up with the demands placed upon us and to improve programs for the good of children. As a trained CFG Coach, I have also seen the effectiveness of using teacher-created and teacher-tested protocols, sensitivity/awareness activities and data analysis guidelines. Without these protocols for guidance, it was at times difficult to see past our own biases and frustrations. We are human, after all, and even with the best of intentions we may not be able to see what is best for kids without a little prompting.
Marjorie, as a staff developer, former teacher and administrator from Colorado, and as co-director of the Colorado Critical Friends Group, has included tried and true protocols, graphic organizers, readings, and planning guides, all in one 175-page package. No need to browse several websites or school improvement textbooks for the tools you need; it’s all right here! Included are activities for setting the tone for school change and for beginning the fragile, but necessary conversations with your staff. There are exercises for improving staff ability to listen to one another, promote healthy working relationships, examine data, and to solve issues and dilemmas that inevitably arise.
Marjorie has written this text with the trademark NSRF focus on embracing diversity and creating student-centered learning environments. Some of my favorite protocols from the CFG training are included, such as: Diversity Rounds, Probing Questions, Consultancy, Futures, and the Tuning protocol. Some samples follow this Review.
We at my school will be using this guide this spring to re-evaluate the function of the PLC’s in our school and to revise our norms and protocols for our Site Council for the 2010-11 school year.
Leslie Burns, NSRF Office Coordinator, lburns@harmonyschool.org 812-330-2701
Scott Hutchinson, NSRF Development and Outreach, hutchinson@harmonyschool.org, 812-330-2701
Michele Mattoon, NSRF Director, michelemattoon@comcast.net
Thank you for your support and attention. If you have any news, stories, resources or ideas for these Updates from the National Center, please let us know.
On behalf of the NSRF National Center,
Dave, Leslie, Michele, and Scott
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National School Reform Faculty
Harmony Education Center
PO Box 1787 Bloomington Indiana 47402 • 812.330.2702
nsrf@nsrfharmony.org • fax 812.333.3435
Harmony Education Center
PO Box 1787 Bloomington Indiana 47402 • 812.330.2702
nsrf@harmonyschool.org • fax 812.333.3435
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