The Power of Stories

In my Partnership Fieldbook, I have written about using stories as one component of professional development, and I am currently reading several authors with much to say about the value of story telling as a part of communication and, indeed, community building. I will likely post more information about those authors in the near future. Today, thanks a tip from my mentor and colleague Don Deshler, I have also discovered a wonderful website that beautifully and powerfully illustrates the power of stories. I highly recommend visiting story corps, where people have a chance to tell the stories of their lives. Monique Ferrer's story of losing her children's father in the World Trade Center disaster, is simple, and heart-breaking, and beautiful all at once.

Shameless self-promotion!

If you're interested, my book on Instructional Coaching can be pre-ordered at the Corwin Press website or at Amazon.com.

Why principals should attend professional development

Some time back I was asked, "Why should principals attend professional development on Instructional Coaching." Well here's what I think:
If principals are going to speak in support of coaches, they need a comprehensive understanding of what coaches do and what teaching practices they share with teachers. If principals do not understand the partnership philosophy, for example, they may inadvertently expect coaches to act in ways that violate the principles and that, indeed, end up being counter-productive.
Principals also need to understand the teaching practices that coaches are sharing with teachers. When principals know how the practices coaches are sharing, they can reinforce teachers who use those practices effectively, or suggest teachers learn those practices when that seems appropriate. Additionally, when principals fully understand all of the teaching practices, they can have much more meaningful conversations with coaches and teachers about issues related to school improvement.