The Principal is at the apex of the critical triangle. The principal is an instructional leader - a person with a vision, with beliefs firmly grounded in this model of teaching and learning, and with a commitment, willingness, and ability to provide active support for The Learning Network. The key administrator is engaged in providing support for teacher leaders and receiving support from The Learning Network coordinator to be more effective in the role of instructional leader. During their first year, the teacher leaders and teachers worked directly with the Learning Network coordinator on their understandings of the model of teaching and learning as related to classroom practice. Staff met monthly to dialoge with the program coordinator on a variety of topics.
All staff continue to meet monthly to discuss specific topics about reading and writing instruction.
The Learning Network coordinator's responsibilities now focus on increasing the teacher leaders skill in guiding and supporting their colleagues. The coordinator works with the principal and teacher leaders both in their classrooms and as they begin to work with colleagues.