In this article, several principals from SEDL's five-state region offer their perspectives on what it takes to encourage shared leadership within a school community. Teachers mentor each other, freely comparing and sharing instructional ideas. The principal listens to the concerns of everyone affected by an issue and works with them to develop a thoughtful solution.
Parents actively support and seek to educate themselves about the school's reform program.
Students act as community ambassadors, accompanying the principal to meetings to show off newly acquired technology skills to various community groups. Because each situation is unique, shared leadership will look different in different school communities. But these principals have found ways to tap into the leadership capacity of teachers, parents, students, and community members and have reaped the rewards. Shared leadership is where much of the true work of building a school's vision happens. But it takes a lot of effort and work to be successful at true collaboration.