Improve Learning by Building Community

A Principal's Guide to Action
John C. Daresh - University of Texas, El Paso, USA
Jane Lynch
Improve Learning by Building Community
March 2010 | 152 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452271460
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781412969611
Available from January 0001

Description

"At last, we have a book that provides practical, day-to-day advice for administrators to consider when establishing a learning community. Daresh helps school leaders both understand the importance of their personal values about shared leadership and appreciate how individuals within the school, district, and community are essential to building a shared learning community. The wealth of examples and school-based scenarios illustrate how these ideas translate into practice. A wonderful resource for a book study for teachers and principals."
—Bruce Barnett, Professor
University of Texas at San Antonio

"Daresh continues his legacy of bridging scholarship and practice within a context of strengthening school cultures by supporting positive interactions between all the people who interact within and around them. As usual, his tone is friendly and approachable, and his points to ponder are both practical and compelling. Aspiring, new, and experienced principals will benefit from the structured opportunity afforded by this book to reflect on their own values and how these values shape their leadership."
—Mary Beth Cunat, Assistant Principal
Burley School, Chicago, NY

Raise student achievement by building a community of ALL stakeholders—both within and around your school!

Written for both new and experienced principals, this resource provides a blueprint for building visionary learning communities that improve student learning not only by shaping the internal school community—faculty and staff—but also by creating a partnership with the external community—district educators, families, community organizations, and service agencies.

Reflecting contemporary research and the authors' extensive work with principals, the book includes scenarios that illustrate the work of real principals in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Administrators will find invaluable assistance from Practical Tips that offer strategies for implementation, Points for Practice that highlight critical concepts, and Points to Ponder that promote reader reflection. Each chapter encourages school leaders to consider what community building means for their own schools and provides guidance for:

  • Building a vision based on your personal and professional values 
  • Shaping a school culture that supports teamwork
  • Honoring school staff members at all levels
  • Examining and understanding the external environment 
  • Drawing effectively on community support services 
  • Collaborating with district staff

Improve Learning by Building Community helps principals bring together all stakeholders to create the kind of schools that can ensure success for every student.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. It All Begins With You
  • General Information About Educational Platforms
  • A Normative Use of a Platform
  • Returning to Motley Elementary School
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 2. Creating a Shared Vision
  • Developing a Vision
  • Articulating the Vision
  • Implementing the Vision
  • Monitoring the Vision
  • Creating a Vision: Returning to Carpenter Middle School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 3. Foundations for Community Building
  • Definitions
  • Operationalizing Community Beyond Structure
  • Returning to the Administrative Team at Ridgmoor Middle School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 4. Focusing on Culture Is More Than Good Manners
  • On Climate and Culture
  • Development of Culture and Climate Research
  • Putting the Theory Into Practice
  • Returning to Manchester
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 5. Studying Your External Environment
  • Analytic Framework
  • Historical Thumbnail for the Riverport Community and Hilley High School
  • Structural Dimension of Riverport
  • Human Resource Dimension of Riverport
  • Political Dimension of Riverport
  • Symbolic Dimension of Riverport
  • Back to Pete
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 6. Working With Community Groups and Parents
  • Parent Concerns
  • Community Concerns
  • Returning to Cheshire School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • Reference
  • Additional Suggested Resources
  • 7. Seeing Your Invisible Heroes
  • Security Staff
  • Office Workers
  • Custodial Staff
  • Food Service Workers
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 8. Services in the Community
  • Students in Physical Danger
  • Drug or Substance Abuse
  • Student Mental or Physical Health
  • Family Turmoil
  • Returning to La Casa Blanca Schools and Bustamente Elementary
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • 9. Support From Central Administration
  • What Makes It Hard to Change Schools?
  • Key People to Keep Informed
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References

Index

Index

Description

"At last, we have a book that provides practical, day-to-day advice for administrators to consider when establishing a learning community. Daresh helps school leaders both understand the importance of their personal values about shared leadership and appreciate how individuals within the school, district, and community are essential to building a shared learning community. The wealth of examples and school-based scenarios illustrate how these ideas translate into practice. A wonderful resource for a book study for teachers and principals."
—Bruce Barnett, Professor
University of Texas at San Antonio

"Daresh continues his legacy of bridging scholarship and practice within a context of strengthening school cultures by supporting positive interactions between all the people who interact within and around them. As usual, his tone is friendly and approachable, and his points to ponder are both practical and compelling. Aspiring, new, and experienced principals will benefit from the structured opportunity afforded by this book to reflect on their own values and how these values shape their leadership."
—Mary Beth Cunat, Assistant Principal
Burley School, Chicago, NY

Raise student achievement by building a community of ALL stakeholders—both within and around your school!

Written for both new and experienced principals, this resource provides a blueprint for building visionary learning communities that improve student learning not only by shaping the internal school community—faculty and staff—but also by creating a partnership with the external community—district educators, families, community organizations, and service agencies.

Reflecting contemporary research and the authors' extensive work with principals, the book includes scenarios that illustrate the work of real principals in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Administrators will find invaluable assistance from Practical Tips that offer strategies for implementation, Points for Practice that highlight critical concepts, and Points to Ponder that promote reader reflection. Each chapter encourages school leaders to consider what community building means for their own schools and provides guidance for:

  • Building a vision based on your personal and professional values 
  • Shaping a school culture that supports teamwork
  • Honoring school staff members at all levels
  • Examining and understanding the external environment 
  • Drawing effectively on community support services 
  • Collaborating with district staff

Improve Learning by Building Community helps principals bring together all stakeholders to create the kind of schools that can ensure success for every student.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. It All Begins With You
  • General Information About Educational Platforms
  • A Normative Use of a Platform
  • Returning to Motley Elementary School
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 2. Creating a Shared Vision
  • Developing a Vision
  • Articulating the Vision
  • Implementing the Vision
  • Monitoring the Vision
  • Creating a Vision: Returning to Carpenter Middle School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 3. Foundations for Community Building
  • Definitions
  • Operationalizing Community Beyond Structure
  • Returning to the Administrative Team at Ridgmoor Middle School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 4. Focusing on Culture Is More Than Good Manners
  • On Climate and Culture
  • Development of Culture and Climate Research
  • Putting the Theory Into Practice
  • Returning to Manchester
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 5. Studying Your External Environment
  • Analytic Framework
  • Historical Thumbnail for the Riverport Community and Hilley High School
  • Structural Dimension of Riverport
  • Human Resource Dimension of Riverport
  • Political Dimension of Riverport
  • Symbolic Dimension of Riverport
  • Back to Pete
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 6. Working With Community Groups and Parents
  • Parent Concerns
  • Community Concerns
  • Returning to Cheshire School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • Reference
  • Additional Suggested Resources
  • 7. Seeing Your Invisible Heroes
  • Security Staff
  • Office Workers
  • Custodial Staff
  • Food Service Workers
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 8. Services in the Community
  • Students in Physical Danger
  • Drug or Substance Abuse
  • Student Mental or Physical Health
  • Family Turmoil
  • Returning to La Casa Blanca Schools and Bustamente Elementary
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • 9. Support From Central Administration
  • What Makes It Hard to Change Schools?
  • Key People to Keep Informed
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References

Index

Index

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Improve Learning by Building Community

A Principal's Guide to Action

John C. Daresh , Jane Lynch
Cancel Print

March 2010 | 152 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781412969611 $40.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781452271460 $37.00

"At last, we have a book that provides practical, day-to-day advice for administrators to consider when establishing a learning community. Daresh helps school leaders both understand the importance of their personal values about shared leadership and appreciate how individuals within the school, district, and community are essential to building a shared learning community. The wealth of examples and school-based scenarios illustrate how these ideas translate into practice. A wonderful resource for a book study for teachers and principals."
—Bruce Barnett, Professor
University of Texas at San Antonio

"Daresh continues his legacy of bridging scholarship and practice within a context of strengthening school cultures by supporting positive interactions between all the people who interact within and around them. As usual, his tone is friendly and approachable, and his points to ponder are both practical and compelling. Aspiring, new, and experienced principals will benefit from the structured opportunity afforded by this book to reflect on their own values and how these values shape their leadership."
—Mary Beth Cunat, Assistant Principal
Burley School, Chicago, NY

Raise student achievement by building a community of ALL stakeholders—both within and around your school!

Written for both new and experienced principals, this resource provides a blueprint for building visionary learning communities that improve student learning not only by shaping the internal school community—faculty and staff—but also by creating a partnership with the external community—district educators, families, community organizations, and service agencies.

Reflecting contemporary research and the authors' extensive work with principals, the book includes scenarios that illustrate the work of real principals in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Administrators will find invaluable assistance from Practical Tips that offer strategies for implementation, Points for Practice that highlight critical concepts, and Points to Ponder that promote reader reflection. Each chapter encourages school leaders to consider what community building means for their own schools and provides guidance for:

  • Building a vision based on your personal and professional values 
  • Shaping a school culture that supports teamwork
  • Honoring school staff members at all levels
  • Examining and understanding the external environment 
  • Drawing effectively on community support services 
  • Collaborating with district staff

Improve Learning by Building Community helps principals bring together all stakeholders to create the kind of schools that can ensure success for every student.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • 1. It All Begins With You
  • General Information About Educational Platforms
  • A Normative Use of a Platform
  • Returning to Motley Elementary School
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 2. Creating a Shared Vision
  • Developing a Vision
  • Articulating the Vision
  • Implementing the Vision
  • Monitoring the Vision
  • Creating a Vision: Returning to Carpenter Middle School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 3. Foundations for Community Building
  • Definitions
  • Operationalizing Community Beyond Structure
  • Returning to the Administrative Team at Ridgmoor Middle School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 4. Focusing on Culture Is More Than Good Manners
  • On Climate and Culture
  • Development of Culture and Climate Research
  • Putting the Theory Into Practice
  • Returning to Manchester
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 5. Studying Your External Environment
  • Analytic Framework
  • Historical Thumbnail for the Riverport Community and Hilley High School
  • Structural Dimension of Riverport
  • Human Resource Dimension of Riverport
  • Political Dimension of Riverport
  • Symbolic Dimension of Riverport
  • Back to Pete
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 6. Working With Community Groups and Parents
  • Parent Concerns
  • Community Concerns
  • Returning to Cheshire School
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • Reference
  • Additional Suggested Resources
  • 7. Seeing Your Invisible Heroes
  • Security Staff
  • Office Workers
  • Custodial Staff
  • Food Service Workers
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • 8. Services in the Community
  • Students in Physical Danger
  • Drug or Substance Abuse
  • Student Mental or Physical Health
  • Family Turmoil
  • Returning to La Casa Blanca Schools and Bustamente Elementary
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • 9. Support From Central Administration
  • What Makes It Hard to Change Schools?
  • Key People to Keep Informed
  • Chapter Summary
  • Points for Practice
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"At last, we have a book that provides practical, day-to-day advice for what school administrators need to attend to when establishing a learning community. Daresh helps school leaders understand the importance of their personal values about shared leadership as well as the individuals within the school, district, and community who are essential to building a shared learning community. The wealth of examples and school-based scenarios illustrate how these ideas translate into practice. A wonderful resource for a book study for teachers and principals."
Bruce Barnett, Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio
"Daresh continues his legacy of bridging scholarship and practice, within a context of strengthening school cultures by supporting positive interactions between all the people who interact within and around them. As usual, his tone is friendly and approachable, and his points to ponder are both practical and compelling. Aspiring, new, and experienced principals will benefit from the structured opportunity afforded by this book to reflect on their own values and how these values shape their leadership."
Mary Beth Cunat, Assistant Principal, Burley School, Chicago, IL
"An invaluable guide for fostering learning communities, Daresh’s work provides a ten-thousand foot view of schools. Of particular interest to educational leaders are strategies to engage parents, business leaders and the often 'forgotten stakeholders'—staff members such as secretaries and custodians. Each chapter immediately engages the reader through humor, reflection, and analysis. Vivid, authentic scenarios capture the realities and complexities of today’s schools. We are invited into the minds of school leaders as they work through the change process and are reminded of the importance of continually reassessing our values. This book is not only a must-read, but a must-do for every principal whose goal is to enhance learning communities."
Debra Livingston, Superintendent of Schools, Fall Mountain Regional School District, Charlestown, NH

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