To serve as effective members of the learning community, teachers should be well armed with extensive professional development related to mathematics, learning, instructional practices, and curriculum. Teachers with a range of experience can bring different and valuable perspectives to the process. In many communities, parents and other citizens are taking an increasingly active role in school processes such as the one described here. It is important to create a balance between the interests of families, the needs of business and employers, and the expertise and experience of educators who have committed their professional lives to the learning of students. All of these groups have important contributions to make within the learning community, and all should be involved in at least some stages of the process.
Counselors play a key role in the learning community.
They are in a position to know the challenges students face based on tracking and placement decisions. Administrators are an important component of the learning community. They have access to key information about policies that may inhibit or enhance this development effort. Of most importance, their active participation is a visible sign of the commitment of the organization to the process. Students are a part of the learning community as well.