William A. Sommers – författare

Principals: Learn to ride the wave of change without drowning!

This collection of insights, anecdotes, gifts, and guidance on shared leadership in schools is written by principals for principals—the book, the authors say, "we wish we could have had when we began or careers as administrators." It's a book of theory evolved into day-to-day practice, with subjects that include:

Trusting in yourself and others Learning to change Handling change without being swept away Assessing students, staff, and schools The administrator as mediator Standing your ground while maintaining your relationships

. . . and much more, including specific self-assessment skills that allow you to measure your own development.

Being a Successful Principal is a great new book for administrators, aspiring administrators, or anyone interested in how schools are run on a day-to-day basis.

Dave Schumaker has been a public school teacher for 21 years, a principal of a high school and middle school for over ten years, and a staff develop for the past four years as the Director of the Central Coast Consortium for Professional Development, Region V in Santa Clara County, California. David is also a mentor on assignment for the National School Conference Institute in Phoenix; his workshops explore brain-based education, teaching strategies, assessment, thinking skills and many other subjects.

William A. Sommers, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of educational leadership at Hamline University and a junior high school principal in Owatonna, Minnesota. For the past ten years, he has worked as an associate trainer for the Institute of Intelligent Behavior based in Denver, Colorado. Bill has been in K-12 education for 29 years as a teacher, an assistant principal, junior high and high school principal in suburban and urban schools. He has also been adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Thomas, the University of Minnesota, and Capella University.

 

 

"One of the fastest ways to provide an understanding is through a story or a visual. Film clips do both. This book is an invaluable aid to any staff developer who wants to captivate an audience and teach at the same time." -Dr. Ruby Payne, President aha! Process, Inc."Because our metaphorical minds learn through finding patterns, relationships, and analogies, the use of film clips to illuminate such elusive but enduring values as persistence, courage, empathy, creativity, and hope can accelerate their meanings more powerfully than any lecture, definition, or description."-Arthur L. Costa, Professor EmeritusCalifornia State University SacramentoMake training fun, engaging, and rewarding with this powerful and readily available technology! Video and DVD clips give participants an opportunity to explore values and ideas, learn about one another, and, in the process, build a stronger learning community. Energizing Staff Development Using Film Clips is a collection of film and television clips that staff developers can use to encourage discussion and reflection on pertinent, common themes, including courage, communication, change, conflict, creativity, and leadership. Each chapter includes real-life examples of how clips may be used in staff development settings, quotes for extending thinking and discussion, and articles and books that relate to the chapter theme. Each film clip section includes:

A synopsis of the scene An explanation of critical themes Start and stop times The length of the clip Suggested discussion questions Contexts for use

These stimulating, instructive film clips lead to helpful conversations, create positive plans of action, and promote learning through reflection. Whether planning a team meeting, a faculty meeting, or a training program, leaders and organizations will find a clip to generate conversations about many of the most pressing issues in education. 

"One of the fastest ways to provide an understanding is through a story or a visual. Film clips do both. This book is an invaluable aid to any staff developer who wants to captivate an audience and teach at the same time." -Dr. Ruby Payne, President aha! Process, Inc."Because our metaphorical minds learn through finding patterns, relationships, and analogies, the use of film clips to illuminate such elusive but enduring values as persistence, courage, empathy, creativity, and hope can accelerate their meanings more powerfully than any lecture, definition, or description."-Arthur L. Costa, Professor EmeritusCalifornia State University SacramentoMake training fun, engaging, and rewarding with this powerful and readily available technology! Video and DVD clips give participants an opportunity to explore values and ideas, learn about one another, and, in the process, build a stronger learning community. Energizing Staff Development Using Film Clips is a collection of film and television clips that staff developers can use to encourage discussion and reflection on pertinent, common themes, including courage, communication, change, conflict, creativity, and leadership. Each chapter includes real-life examples of how clips may be used in staff development settings, quotes for extending thinking and discussion, and articles and books that relate to the chapter theme. Each film clip section includes:

A synopsis of the scene An explanation of critical themes Start and stop times The length of the clip Suggested discussion questions Contexts for use

These stimulating, instructive film clips lead to helpful conversations, create positive plans of action, and promote learning through reflection. Whether planning a team meeting, a faculty meeting, or a training program, leaders and organizations will find a clip to generate conversations about many of the most pressing issues in education. 

"Hord is the originator of the triple-headed concept of professional learning communities. Sommers is an experienced administrator and past president of the National Staff Development Council. With the authors′ extensive backgrounds in educational evaluation and the implementation of school change and development, they are uniquely equipped to delineate and defend a particular vision of professional learning communities that has educational depth, professional richness, and moral integrity."—From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves "The most important volume available to help principals undertake the challenging yet exhilarating work of building true communities of professional learning."—Joseph Murphy, ProfessorVanderbilt University"The book does not gloss over the challenges that leaders will encounter. The authors draw upon rich research evidence and personal experiences and offer many practical, proven change strategies. This is a valuable resource for any educational leader who wishes to become a ′head learner.′"—Arthur L. Costa, Professor EmeritusCalifornia State University, Sacramento "Hord and Sommers create a powerful bridge between the research base on PLCs and practitioner knowledge and action. The book′s dual focus on principles and ′rocks in the road′ provide a grounded basis for school leaders. A dog-eared copy should be in every principal′s office and in every professional developer′s tool kit."—Karen Seashore Louis, Rodney S. Wallace ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis"The authors′ rationale and suggestions will resonate because they come from experience and great insight. The bottom line remains steadfast for these two distinguished educators: you implement a PLC so that teachers learn and students achieve. This text will help educators reach toward that compelling vision."—Stephanie Hirsh, Executive DirectorNational Staff Development CouncilImagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning! Current research shows a strong positive relationship between successful professional learning communities and increased student achievement. In this practical and reader-friendly guide, education experts Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers explore the school-based learning opportunities offered to school professionals and the principal′s critical role in the development of an effective professional learning community (PLC). This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. The authors cover building a vision for a PLC, implementing structures, creating policies and procedures, and developing the leadership skills required for initiating and sustaining a learning community.Each chapter includes meaningful quotes from the field, "rocks in the road" and ways to overcome them, examples from real PLCs, and learning activities to reinforce chapter content. The text illustrates how this research-based school improvement model can help educators: Increase leadership capacity Embed professional development into daily workCreate a positive school culture Develop accountability Boost student achievementDiscover how you can grow a vital community of professionals who work together to increase their effectiveness and strengthen the relationship between professional learning and student learning.

"Hord is the originator of the triple-headed concept of professional learning communities. Sommers is an experienced administrator and past president of the National Staff Development Council. With the authors′ extensive backgrounds in educational evaluation and the implementation of school change and development, they are uniquely equipped to delineate and defend a particular vision of professional learning communities that has educational depth, professional richness, and moral integrity."—From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves "The most important volume available to help principals undertake the challenging yet exhilarating work of building true communities of professional learning."—Joseph Murphy, ProfessorVanderbilt University"The book does not gloss over the challenges that leaders will encounter. The authors draw upon rich research evidence and personal experiences and offer many practical, proven change strategies. This is a valuable resource for any educational leader who wishes to become a ′head learner.′"—Arthur L. Costa, Professor EmeritusCalifornia State University, Sacramento "Hord and Sommers create a powerful bridge between the research base on PLCs and practitioner knowledge and action. The book′s dual focus on principles and ′rocks in the road′ provide a grounded basis for school leaders. A dog-eared copy should be in every principal′s office and in every professional developer′s tool kit."—Karen Seashore Louis, Rodney S. Wallace ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis"The authors′ rationale and suggestions will resonate because they come from experience and great insight. The bottom line remains steadfast for these two distinguished educators: you implement a PLC so that teachers learn and students achieve. This text will help educators reach toward that compelling vision."—Stephanie Hirsh, Executive DirectorNational Staff Development CouncilImagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning! Current research shows a strong positive relationship between successful professional learning communities and increased student achievement. In this practical and reader-friendly guide, education experts Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers explore the school-based learning opportunities offered to school professionals and the principal′s critical role in the development of an effective professional learning community (PLC). This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. The authors cover building a vision for a PLC, implementing structures, creating policies and procedures, and developing the leadership skills required for initiating and sustaining a learning community.Each chapter includes meaningful quotes from the field, "rocks in the road" and ways to overcome them, examples from real PLCs, and learning activities to reinforce chapter content. The text illustrates how this research-based school improvement model can help educators: Increase leadership capacity Embed professional development into daily workCreate a positive school culture Develop accountability Boost student achievementDiscover how you can grow a vital community of professionals who work together to increase their effectiveness and strengthen the relationship between professional learning and student learning.

"An extensive and comprehensive resource for aspiring as well as practicing school leaders at every level. For aspiring school leaders, this book provides a multifaceted look at the complexity of school organizations. For practicing school leaders, the design of the content, the broad array of useful information, the action checklists, the quick-read guidelines, and the extensive references provide readers with a useful guide."—Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive DirectorNational Association of Secondary School PrincipalsAn original, proven approach to help you meet challenges head-on!Research has shown that effective school leadership is a key factor in promoting high student achievement. This very practical, easy-to-use reference draws from leadership lessons learned in both education and business. Written as a field manual for "school CEOs" to facilitate understanding and operating a school as an organization, this book is designed for easy access within a unifying framework to enable flexible use for busy principals.Based on the Organizational Effectiveness Model, the manual offers a blend of background knowledge and practices that are immediately useful, in the context of five elements that are essential to all organizations:Mission, including the central importance of useful metricsStrategies, such as the value of seeing the whole systemStructure, including skill with conflict managementPeople, highlighting the usefulness of political savvyLeadership, including the fundamental importance of trustFilled with practical strategies and tools, The Principal′s Field Manual is an invaluable resource for helping both new and experienced administrators better understand and effectively operate the school as a vital and dynamic organization.

"An extensive and comprehensive resource for aspiring as well as practicing school leaders at every level. For aspiring school leaders, this book provides a multifaceted look at the complexity of school organizations. For practicing school leaders, the design of the content, the broad array of useful information, the action checklists, the quick-read guidelines, and the extensive references provide readers with a useful guide."—Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive DirectorNational Association of Secondary School PrincipalsAn original, proven approach to help you meet challenges head-on!Research has shown that effective school leadership is a key factor in promoting high student achievement. This very practical, easy-to-use reference draws from leadership lessons learned in both education and business. Written as a field manual for "school CEOs" to facilitate understanding and operating a school as an organization, this book is designed for easy access within a unifying framework to enable flexible use for busy principals.Based on the Organizational Effectiveness Model, the manual offers a blend of background knowledge and practices that are immediately useful, in the context of five elements that are essential to all organizations:Mission, including the central importance of useful metricsStrategies, such as the value of seeing the whole systemStructure, including skill with conflict managementPeople, highlighting the usefulness of political savvyLeadership, including the fundamental importance of trustFilled with practical strategies and tools, The Principal′s Field Manual is an invaluable resource for helping both new and experienced administrators better understand and effectively operate the school as a vital and dynamic organization.

"To improve teaching quality and student learning outcomes, someone has to take the reins and lead the effort with intelligence, skill, sensitivity, and a clear sense of purpose. This book offers the 'why' and 'how' to those willing to take on the challenge to accomplish that goal."—Thomas R. Guskey, Professor of Educational PsychologyUniversity of Kentucky

"This book places 'learning in community' at the forefront of PLC work. The authors provide a treasure trove of cognitively engaging learning opportunities that build a communal knowledge base."—Diane Zimmerman, SuperintendentOld Adobe Union School District, Petaluma, CA

"Too often PLCs are treated as events. The authors of this fine book make clear that an authentic PLC is about embracing a form of leadership and learning in schools that requires fearless examination of teaching practices, faculty interactions, and student learning toward the goal of increased successful student learning. The book is rich with information, resources, and learning activities revealing how this can be accomplished."—Robert J. Garmston, Cofounder, Institute for Intelligent BehaviorProfessor Emeritus, California State University, Sacramento

The how-to guide for developing, implementing, and sustaining a PLC!

Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers' best-selling book Leading Professional Learning Communities introduced educators to the research-based components of an effective professional learning community (PLC). Now this implementation handbook offers more than 30 structured "learning opportunities" to help busy educators put the components into practice.

Ideal as a companion to the original book but also valuable as a standalone resource, this sequel guides educators in developing a new PLC or sustaining an existing one. Members of PLCs can use the engaging learning opportunities to facilitate individual and team development by exploring:

Beliefs, values, and visionShared leadershipStructural conditionsRelational conditionsIntentional learningSharing personal practice

Guiding Professional Learning Communities is a rich field guide for increasing and enhancing teaching quality through the power of educators learning together.

This book is a culmination of many educational and business practices to accelerate and distribute learning throughout the organization. You will find twenty-five strategies to assess the ability and willingness of individuals and the school. This book will save leaders time by providing examples and a guide to implement processes to increase learning. The more talent schools have, the more students will learn. The future will require more learning and more ways to acquire that learning. These practical strategies can be used with individual staff members as well as groups of any size. These facilitation skills are already in use. Let’s learn, adapt, and take positive action to increase learning.

This book is a culmination of many educational and business practices to accelerate and distribute learning throughout the organization. You will find twenty-five strategies to assess the ability and willingness of individuals and the school. This book will save leaders time by providing examples and a guide to implement processes to increase learning. The more talent schools have, the more students will learn. The future will require more learning and more ways to acquire that learning. These practical strategies can be used with individual staff members as well as groups of any size. These facilitation skills are already in use. Let’s learn, adapt, and take positive action to increase learning.

Leadership in organizations is going through unprecedented change. In the past compliance, conformity, and command and control were adequate for product-based world in education and business. As the world moves toward more knowledge work and a VUCA (volatile, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) society, building cultures of continual learning will be required.The WHY of the book is to create and sustain organization that will deal effectively with many changes. Our life is being driven by technology, unintended consequences, and the unknown. To deal with these changes and others, organizations will need cultures that promote learning.The HOW are the 7Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Coaching, Change, Conflict, Creativity, and Courage. Each of these are important elements of a more productive system.The WHAT include results that include Cultural Competence, Coaching Tools, and building a Commonwealth of practices to sustain growth and adaptability.If you want to save TIME, this book is for you. Enjoy the journey.

Leadership in organizations is going through unprecedented change. In the past compliance, conformity, and command and control were adequate for product-based world in education and business. As the world moves toward more knowledge work and a VUCA (volatile, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) society, building cultures of continual learning will be required.The WHY of the book is to create and sustain organization that will deal effectively with many changes. Our life is being driven by technology, unintended consequences, and the unknown. To deal with these changes and others, organizations will need cultures that promote learning.The HOW are the 7Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Coaching, Change, Conflict, Creativity, and Courage. Each of these are important elements of a more productive system.The WHAT include results that include Cultural Competence, Coaching Tools, and building a Commonwealth of practices to sustain growth and adaptability.If you want to save TIME, this book is for you. Enjoy the journey.

When working with groups or individual leaders, telling stories of what has been possible can deliver amazing results. Many of the best staff developers, trainers, and presenters tell stories. While many professionals walk away forgetting the facts (data and tables that flashed on the screen), they walk away remembering the stories that were told. The more options for conversation, the quicker we resolve issues. Busy leaders and trainers can use the many resources in Setting the Stage for Learning: Activating the Power of Stories to Facilitate Learning to increase impact and readiness for important topics. These resources will save leaders time because the stories, videos, quotes, and questions are readily available.

When working with groups or individual leaders, telling stories of what has been possible can deliver amazing results. Many of the best staff developers, trainers, and presenters tell stories. While many professionals walk away forgetting the facts (data and tables that flashed on the screen), they walk away remembering the stories that were told. The more options for conversation, the quicker we resolve issues. Busy leaders and trainers can use the many resources in Setting the Stage for Learning: Activating the Power of Stories to Facilitate Learning to increase impact and readiness for important topics. These resources will save leaders time because the stories, videos, quotes, and questions are readily available.

When working with groups or individual leaders, telling stories of what has been possible can deliver amazing results. Many of the best staff developers, trainers, and presenters tell stories. While many professionals walk away forgetting the facts (data and tables that flashed on the screen), they walk away remembering the stories that were told. The more options for conversation, the quicker we resolve issues. Busy leaders and trainers can use the many resources in Setting the Stage for Learning: Activating the Power of Stories to Facilitate Learning to increase impact and readiness for important topics. These resources will save leaders time because the stories, videos, quotes, and questions are readily available.

Improve collective efficacy in schools through meaningful professional conversations    As technology substitutes for face-to-face connections, educators can feel like they’re practicing their craft in isolation. Nine Professional Conversations to Change Our Schools is a framework for revitalizing the art of the professional conversation. It guides educators through structures for collaboration, offers access to vast storehouses of applied wisdom, and facilitates a coherent knowledge base for standards of excellence. Readers will find 

nine conversational strategies designed to promote collective teacher efficacy  learning scenarios that demonstrate the effectiveness of these conversations in action  accessible Conversational Dashboard that assists in analyzing conditions for success 

Face-to-face conversational skill is a fundamental foundation for establishing effective relationships and collaboration. Drawing from their rich careers with coaching and facilitation, the authors of this book offer strategies that will expand your conversational repertoire and provide insight into how to respond meaningfully in an ever-changing environment. 

p>Educational leadership is never conflict free. In Responding to Resistance, author William A. Sommers acknowledges this reality and presents school and district leaders with a set of wide-ranging response strategies. Whether a conflict involves staff, students, parents, or other stakeholders, this book will help you address it openly, decisively, and efficiently, so you have more time to focus on what matters most: improving learning in your school community.

Use this resource to obtain approaches and guidance for managing persistent problems when other strategies do not seem to work:

Become familiar with five primary causes of conflict and four dangers of ignoring conflict.Gain foundational communication skills for clarifying issues and defining problems.Discover conflict resolution strategies for teams, individuals, and large groups.Understand the research and expertise that support each response strategy.Learn from realistic vignettes that illustrate common conflicts in schools and how a leader might react effectively to overcome resistance to change.

Contents:Introduction: What’s the Real Problem?Chapter 1: Foundational SkillsChapter 2: Strategies for Working With TeamsChapter 3: Strategies for Working With IndividualsChapter 4: Strategies for Working With Large GroupsChapter 5: Strategies for When Nothing Seems to WorkConclusionReferencesIndex