In Chicago, elected councils at each school hire the principal. All of these people are already serving in leadership capacities, whether it's as an assistant principal or a teacher leader. Currently, councils tend to select new principals from staff at their own schools. Preparing The program's long-term benefits can only be assessed after principals are in their schools for a period of time, says Peterson. They visit the schools to observe classes and interview staff, then draw up an improvement plan and present it to the principal for a critique.
Professional development becomes a real linchpin in the school improvement plans they present.
It was fun to be there, and that's what you want for teachers. Inspired, she had her own staff work in teams to revise the teachers' handbook, presenting their revisions in song or pantomime. Administrative programs often have a lot of interesting speakers, but not a sequenced and organized curriculum, notes Peterson. Here, sessions are carefully sequenced and zeroed in on a core set of skills and knowledge, he says. Maneuvering Dyrice Garner says managing a school budget is one of her weaknesses, so this morning's closed teaching positions provide yet another learning opportunity.