Questions for Unmistakable Impact

Teresa Simmons sent me these questions for those who are discussing Unmistakable Impact.  I think they are great questions, so I am sharing them here for anyone who might be interested:

Impact Schools

1. What does it look like when we provide an  environment where our teachers are "energized, thrilled, and empowered by learning?"

2. How do we move closer to a professional learning community that empowers teachers to embrace proven teaching methods?

Partnership

1. After experience a few years of change with the CLC initiative, where are we (JRHS) as a whole in the "states of change" mentioned on page 21?

2. What does a partnership approach look like? How do we respond in a partnership approach when members of the group say "no"?

3. Which partnership principle is most critical? Which one is the challenging to follow?

Principals

1. How do you feel about the Target idea? How can every educator be provided with an opportunity to have authentic input into the document?

2. How important is it for the principals to be the first learner in their schools?

Instructional Coaching

1. How would the use of the Target improve coaching?

2. What are the most important attributes of a coach?

3. Why are some of our teachers "resistant" to coaching? How can that be changed?

Workshops That Make an Impact

1. How can the partnership approach improve the effectiveness of a workshop?

2.  On page 169, at the bottom of the page, there is a comment about what separates great teachers from the rest. Refer to this and tell us what you think.

Intensive Learning Teams

1. What are you thoughts about the ILTs and the procedures described on page 177?

Partnership Communication

1. How can all faculty members be encouraged to honor the partnership principles?

2. Review the "bids" section starting on page 230. How important are "bids" in life? in the workplace? in the classroom?

Comments

[Kathy Meyer]

What does the research say about teaching math on a block schedule? It is not unusual for students to go a full year between math classes. Our students do not do well on state testing.