The Lead Learner: Improving Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity for All

by Michael McDowell

Overview

To make a lasting impact, start with your own learning. 

What’s better: a rigorous system that emphasizes traditional academics, or an innovative one that prepares students for tomorrow’s world? With McDowell’s new model of educational leadership, you don’t have to choose. You can create an impactful system that ensures growth for all students in both core academic content and 21st-century skills. 

The Lead Learner shows you how starting with your own professional learning helps you plan for and meet the unique learning needs of staff and students—while getting the biggest impact from your limited time. You’ll also find ways to: 

• Ensure clarity in strategic planning
• Establish coherence throughout the system
• Enact system-wide capacity-building processes
• Craft your personal leadership skills  

With practical examples, stories from the field, and numerous activities and reflective questions, this insightful book takes you step-by-step through the work of the learning leader—so you can ensure engaged learning for all.

The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system.  As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not.  Take heed to McDowell’s advice and you’ll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you.  The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear. 
Douglas Fisher 
San Diego State University

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544325026
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	05/31/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	862,534
File size:	21 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Michael McDowell, EdD was a public school educator for eighteen years serving in the roles of classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction, and superintendent.  During his tenure as a superintendent, his school district received state and national accolades including the National Blue Ribbon Award which recognized their work for student performance and mental health and well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. McDowell serves on numerous boards, served as a college professor, and worked for non-profit organizations to enhance student learning around the world.  Over the course of his career, Dr. McDowell has authored bestselling books, created professional learning programs and workbooks, provided keynotes and workshops, and provided practical tools and resources for thousands of teachers and leaders on almost every continent around the world.  A prolific author and consultant, Dr. McDowell is recognized as one of the leading authorities on integrating innovative and impactful practices into schools. Offering keynotes and executive coaching to heads of school around the world, he partners with educational leaders to implement high leverage strategies that will enhance teaching and learning in classrooms, schools, and systems through his work with Hinge Education.

 

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface: Lead the Learning
A Perspective From a Lead Learner
Author′s Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1. Setting the Stage
Are We as Leaders Ready to Prepare All Learners for the 21st Century?
The Driving Question: Are Our Decisions Leading the Learning?
A New Leadership Focus
Ensuring Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity: Crafting Improved Leadership Skills
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Activities
Next Steps
Chapter 2. Clarity: Strategic Planning
Three Questions That Ensure Clarity in Strategic Planning
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Activities
Next Steps
Resource
Chapter 3. Coherence (Part I): Learning System Infrastructure
Setting the Stage for Coherence
Establish Progress and Proficiency Expectations
Establish Standardized and Customizable Features
Coherence: Bringing It All Together
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Activities
Next Steps
Chapter 4. Coherence (Part II): Ensuring Inspired and Passionate Teachers in Schools
Linking Learner-Centered Beliefs and Behaviors
Unmasking Beliefs and Behaviors
Hiring and Developing Educators for Impact
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Activities
Next Steps
Chapter 5. Capacity: Community Learning
Building Capacity Through Continuous Improvement
Standardized Success Criteria
Customizable Organizational Routines for Learning
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Activities
Next Steps
Chapter 6. Crafting: The Lead Learner
Facing Competing Beliefs in Learning
Lead Learner Practices That Move Learning Forward
Establishing Common Agreements for Learning
Leverage Protocols for Dialogue
Model Current Initiatives in Daily Practice
Conclusion
Reflection Questions
Activities
Next Steps
Chapter 7. Conclusion
Moving Beyond Stark Differences
Influencing Educators
Recognizing the Rate of Change
Epilogue
References
Appendix
Sample Strategic Plans
Protocols
Sample Evaluation Tools
Sample Unit Plan
Demonstration Scenario
Index

Editorial Reviews

As the rules governing the practice of education evolve, educational leaders must be at the forefront of learning to be able to lead effectively. Through my experience in research, professional development and as a school district administrator, I know firsthand that the evolution of any practice – including education – must be informed by those on the frontline who are thought leader practitioners. In his book, The Lead Learner, Dr. Mc Dowell, provides a case for why it is important for the leaders of learning organizations to continue their learning and to be at the forefront of discovery. He provides practical examples though empirical research and storytelling of ways that educational leaders can achieve the status of the Lead Learner.

Bernadine Futrell

It is great to pick up a book that puts learning first. This book offers an elegant set of resources that make leading learning so much easier. This is an essential resource for practicing and aspirant school leaders.

Neil Mac Neill

The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system. As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not. Take heed to Mc Dowell’s advice and you’ll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you. The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear.

Douglas Fisher

These tools, ideas, and resources will help you develop a shared commitment to improved learning for all. This book builds upon the work of respected researchers and practitioners, with the goal of achieving the outcomes that are most essential for ALL students.

Lynn Macan

As the rules governing the practice of education evolve, educational leaders must be at the forefront of learning to be able to lead effectively. Through my experience in research, professional development and as a school district administrator, I know firsthand that the evolution of any practice - including education - must be informed by those on the frontline who are thought leader practitioners. In his book, The Lead Learner, Dr. McDowell, provides a case for why it is important for the leaders of learning organizations to continue their learning and to be at the forefront of discovery. He provides practical examples though empirical research and storytelling of ways that educational leaders can achieve the status of the Lead Learner.

--Bernadine Futrell, Director, Leadership Services at AASA, The School Superintendents Association (4/10/2018 12:00:00 AM)

It is great to pick up a book that puts learning first. This book offers an elegant set of resources that make leading learning so much easier. This is an essential resource for practicing and aspirant school leaders.

--Neil MacNeill, Head Master (1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM)

The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system. As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not. Take heed to McDowell's advice and you'll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you. The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear.--Douglas Fisher (1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM)

These tools, ideas, and resources will help you develop a shared commitment to improved learning for all. This book builds upon the work of respected researchers and practitioners, with the goal of achieving the outcomes that are most essential for ALL students.

--Lynn Macan, Visiting Assistant Professor (1/9/2018 12:00:00 AM)

From the Publisher

It is great to pick up a book that puts learning first. This book offers an elegant set of resources that make leading learning so much easier. This is an essential resource for practicing and aspirant school leaders.

Neil MacNeill