Leading Learning

Rosemarye (Rose) Taylor has a rich background that includes middle and high teaching, school administration, and district administration. She was a reading, language arts, and Spanish teacher, and counselor, followed by service as a middle and high school administrator, and district level administrator in Georgia and Florida, USA. In private sector management she was Director of Professional Development for Scholastic, Inc., New York. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. As Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida, her specialty is systematic leadership to improve student achievement Pk-20, which as lead to her interest and research in the professional practice doctorate. She has conducted research on leadership and change, particularly as it relates to accountability. Presentations on this topic have been given at University Council of Educational Administration, American Association of Educational Research, American Association of School Administrators, International Reading Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and National Middle School Association conferences. Her articles have been published in Kappan, Educational Leadership, Middle School Journal, Schools in the Middle, American Secondary Education, AASA Professor, The National Staff Development Journal, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, Educational Research Service Spectrum, and International Journal of Education Management. Six books including Leading Learning: Improve Student Achievement Today! (2010), Improving Readers, Writers, and Content Learning for Students in Grades 4-12 (2007), Leadership Handbook for Literacy Coaching (2006),The K-12 Literacy Leadership Fieldbook (2005), Literacy Leadership for Grades 5-12, (2003), and Leading With Character to Improve Student Achievement (2003), reflect the commitment to all students learning more through leadership that creates ethical, fail-safe systems. She serves as consultant on literacy, learning communities, curriculum system development, and leadership to schools, districts and professional organizations.

"Taylor shows how school leadership actions can turn almost any educational challenge into a positive. Her use of current school administrators as examples, the explanatory charts, and the guiding professional analysis make this book a necessary companion to implementing sustained school reform."

• List of TablesList of ResourcesPrefaceWho Will Benefit From This Book?How Is the Book Organized?What Are the Special Features?ReflectionAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. Introduction and BackgroundHow Did the Research Begin?Why Interview Research?Who Participated in the Interviews?What Actions Do These Leaders Take?ReflectionHelpful Terms2. Focus the Culture on Learning: Make Decisions for Student LearningLeader in Action: Paula St. Francis, Rimfire Elementary SchoolLeader in Action: Les Potter, Silver Sands Middle SchoolLeader in Action: Carol Moore, Osceola High SchoolLeader in Action: Cynthia Dodge, Lake Silver Elementary and Special SchoolReflectionPractical TipsTrends in Focusing Culture on Learning and Making Decisions for LearningHelpful Terms3. Stimulate Intellectual GrowthLeader in Action: Linda Roman, Fort Wayne Community SchoolsLeader in Action: Dale Moxley, Round Lake Charter Elementary SchoolLeader in Action: Harold Border, Hunter’s Creek Middle SchoolLeader in Action: Jane Phelps, Middle School Social StudiesReflectionPractical TipsTrends in Stimulating Intellectual GrowthHelpful TermsResources for Leaders4. Invest Personally in the ChangeLeader in Action: Paul Sansom, Adairville K-8 SchoolLeader in Action: Donald Fennoy, Phillip O. Berry Academy of TechnologyLeader in Action: Bill Vogel, Seminole County SchoolsReflectionPractical TipsTrends in Making a Personal InvestmentHelpful Terms5. Collaborate to Optimize SuccessLeaders in Action:Principals, Citrus County Middle SchoolLeader in Action: Todd Trimble, Legacy Middle SchoolLeader in Action: Mike Armbruster, Ocoee High SchoolLeaders in Action: UCF-Progress Energy Leadership InstituteReflectionPractical TipsTrends in CollaborationHelpful Terms6. Strategize for ConsistencyLeader in Action: Nancy Simon, Central Ridge Elementary SchoolLeader in Action: Jaime Quinones, Shafter High SchoolLeader in Action: Tom Curry, Citrus County SchoolsReflectionPractical TipsTrends of Leaders Who Strategize for ConsistencyHelpful Terms7. Let the Data Speak: Then Take ActionLeader in Action: Barrett Nelson, Lewisburg K-8 SchoolLeader in Action: Connie Collins, Crooms Academy of Information TechnologyLeader in Action: Van Mitchell, Colonial High SchoolLeader in Action: Anna Marie Cote, Seminole County SchoolsReflectionPractical TipsTrends in Data-Based Decision MakingHelpful Terms8. Engage Families in LearningLeader in Action: Gonzalo La Cava, Oakshire Elementary SchoolLeader in Action: Nancy Velez, Leesburg High SchoolLeader in Action: Grant Rivera, South Cobb High SchoolLeader in Action: Peter Gorman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsReflectionPractical TipsTrends to Engage Families in LearningHelpful Terms9. Influence Through the Political EnvironmentPrincipals and the District Political EnvironmentDistrict LeadersLeader in Action: Carol Kelley, New Smyrna Beach High SchoolLeader in Action: Beverly Perrault, Wicklow Elementary SchoolLeader in Action: Pam Tapley, St. Cloud High SchoolLeader in Action: Barbara Jenkins, Orange County Public SchoolsReflectionPractical TipsTrends in Leveraging the Political EnvironmentHelpful Terms10. Reflections on Leading Learning for Second Order ChangeCurriculumInstructionAssessmentConcluding ThoughtsResource A: Principal Interview ProtocolResource B: District Leader Interview ProtocolResource C: Guidelines for Collaborative Sessions, Rimfire Elementary SchoolResource D: Team Meeting Notes, Hunter’s Creek Middle SchoolResource E: Leadership Team, Crystal River High School 2007-2008Resource F: Walkthrough Comment Card, Citrus County SchoolsResource G: Ridgeback Reflections, Central Ridge Elementary SchoolResource H: Excerpts From Attendance Policy, Leesburg High SchoolReferencesIndex