In reflecting on the Leadership Academy workshops this year, there are so many lessons that we have all learned. We have taken pause to reflect on our thinking and learning from this year. With that reflection came some brilliant “ah-has.” Take for instance the following learning that was articulated after some individual and team reflection:
“It’s about learning for ourselves and learning for others—growing people”
Our work really is about our own learning and then taking that learning and helping other people learn and reflect on that learning. True growth comes when we take our learning, can articulate it, and then craft actions that we implement and reflect on. The circle goes around and around. What did we learn, what did we do with that learning, how did we know we made an impact with that learning, and where do we go from here to continue our learning? Using the Cycle of Inquiry, we are forced to continue to ask the questions and get deeper in our understanding and implementation.
“The instructional triangle is a great truth.”
When we read the chapter by Elmore and associates, we found a great learning about the whole picture of education—it is about the instructor, the student and the content—in balance and in importance. As the chapter states: “it is the relationship among the teacher, the student, and content—not the qualities of any one of them by themselves—that determines the nature of instructional practice, and each corner of the instructional core has its own particular role and resources to bring to the instructional process”. If we read the whole chapter, take quotes from this chapter, and discuss the implications for our system, we then begin to wrestle with and come to agreement on what it means for our system. There is great power in looking at all sides of the triangle and developing our plans around that instructional core.
I believe strongly in the ability the WSLA participants to lead amazing plans in their districts. They have thought deeply, focused on important issues, and planned well. We will continue to see growth in each of our systems this next year.
