The Lead Learner

Improving Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity for All
First Edition
Michael McDowell - Author/Presenter and Co-Owner of Hinge Education
The Lead Learner
May 2018 | 240 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781544325019
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781544324982
Available from January 0001

Description

To make a lasting impact, start with your own learning. 

What’s better: a rigorous system that emphasizes traditional academics, or an innovative one that prepares students for tomorrow’s world? With McDowell’s new model of educational leadership, you don’t have to choose. You can create an impactful system that ensures growth for all students in both core academic content and 21st-century skills. 

The Lead Learner shows you how starting with your own professional learning helps you plan for and meet the unique learning needs of staff and students—while getting the biggest impact from your limited time. You’ll also find ways to: 

  • Ensure clarity in strategic planning
  • Establish coherence throughout the system
  • Enact system-wide capacity-building processes
  • Craft your personal leadership skills  

With practical examples, stories from the field, and numerous activities and reflective questions, this insightful book takes you step-by-step through the work of the learning leader—so you can ensure engaged learning for all.


The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system.  As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not.  Take heed to McDowell’s advice and you’ll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you.  The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear. 
Douglas Fisher 
San Diego State University

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface: Lead the Learning

Preface: Lead the Learning

A Perspective From a Lead Learner

A Perspective From a Lead Learner

Author's Acknowledgments

Author's Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • Chapter 1. Setting the Stage
  • Are We as Leaders Ready to Prepare All Learners for the 21st Century?
  • The Driving Question: Are Our Decisions Leading the Learning?
  • A New Leadership Focus
  • Ensuring Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity: Crafting Improved Leadership Skills
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 2. Clarity: Strategic Planning
  • Three Questions That Ensure Clarity in Strategic Planning
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Resource
  • Chapter 3. Coherence (Part I): Learning System Infrastructure
  • Setting the Stage for Coherence
  • Establish Progress and Proficiency Expectations
  • Establish Standardized and Customizable Features
  • Coherence: Bringing It All Together
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 4. Coherence (Part II): Ensuring Inspired and Passionate Teachers in Schools
  • Linking Learner-Centered Beliefs and Behaviors
  • Unmasking Beliefs and Behaviors
  • Hiring and Developing Educators for Impact
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 5. Capacity: Community Learning
  • Building Capacity Through Continuous Improvement
  • Standardized Success Criteria
  • Customizable Organizational Routines for Learning
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 6. Crafting: The Lead Learner
  • Facing Competing Beliefs in Learning
  • Lead Learner Practices That Move Learning Forward
  • Establishing Common Agreements for Learning
  • Leverage Protocols for Dialogue
  • Model Current Initiatives in Daily Practice
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 7. Conclusion
  • Moving Beyond Stark Differences
  • Influencing Educators
  • Recognizing the Rate of Change

Epilogue

Epilogue

References

References

Appendix

  • Sample Strategic Plans
  • Protocols
  • Sample Evaluation Tools
  • Sample Unit Plan
  • Demonstration Scenario

Index

Index

Description

To make a lasting impact, start with your own learning. 

What’s better: a rigorous system that emphasizes traditional academics, or an innovative one that prepares students for tomorrow’s world? With McDowell’s new model of educational leadership, you don’t have to choose. You can create an impactful system that ensures growth for all students in both core academic content and 21st-century skills. 

The Lead Learner shows you how starting with your own professional learning helps you plan for and meet the unique learning needs of staff and students—while getting the biggest impact from your limited time. You’ll also find ways to: 

  • Ensure clarity in strategic planning
  • Establish coherence throughout the system
  • Enact system-wide capacity-building processes
  • Craft your personal leadership skills  

With practical examples, stories from the field, and numerous activities and reflective questions, this insightful book takes you step-by-step through the work of the learning leader—so you can ensure engaged learning for all.


The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system.  As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not.  Take heed to McDowell’s advice and you’ll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you.  The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear. 
Douglas Fisher 
San Diego State University

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface: Lead the Learning

Preface: Lead the Learning

A Perspective From a Lead Learner

A Perspective From a Lead Learner

Author's Acknowledgments

Author's Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • Chapter 1. Setting the Stage
  • Are We as Leaders Ready to Prepare All Learners for the 21st Century?
  • The Driving Question: Are Our Decisions Leading the Learning?
  • A New Leadership Focus
  • Ensuring Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity: Crafting Improved Leadership Skills
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 2. Clarity: Strategic Planning
  • Three Questions That Ensure Clarity in Strategic Planning
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Resource
  • Chapter 3. Coherence (Part I): Learning System Infrastructure
  • Setting the Stage for Coherence
  • Establish Progress and Proficiency Expectations
  • Establish Standardized and Customizable Features
  • Coherence: Bringing It All Together
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 4. Coherence (Part II): Ensuring Inspired and Passionate Teachers in Schools
  • Linking Learner-Centered Beliefs and Behaviors
  • Unmasking Beliefs and Behaviors
  • Hiring and Developing Educators for Impact
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 5. Capacity: Community Learning
  • Building Capacity Through Continuous Improvement
  • Standardized Success Criteria
  • Customizable Organizational Routines for Learning
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 6. Crafting: The Lead Learner
  • Facing Competing Beliefs in Learning
  • Lead Learner Practices That Move Learning Forward
  • Establishing Common Agreements for Learning
  • Leverage Protocols for Dialogue
  • Model Current Initiatives in Daily Practice
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 7. Conclusion
  • Moving Beyond Stark Differences
  • Influencing Educators
  • Recognizing the Rate of Change

Epilogue

Epilogue

References

References

Appendix

  • Sample Strategic Plans
  • Protocols
  • Sample Evaluation Tools
  • Sample Unit Plan
  • Demonstration Scenario

Index

Index

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The Lead Learner

Improving Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity for All

Michael McDowell
Cancel Print

May 2018 | 240 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781544324982 $40.95
Lifetime 01/01/2025 9781544325019 $37.00

To make a lasting impact, start with your own learning. 

What’s better: a rigorous system that emphasizes traditional academics, or an innovative one that prepares students for tomorrow’s world? With McDowell’s new model of educational leadership, you don’t have to choose. You can create an impactful system that ensures growth for all students in both core academic content and 21st-century skills. 

The Lead Learner shows you how starting with your own professional learning helps you plan for and meet the unique learning needs of staff and students—while getting the biggest impact from your limited time. You’ll also find ways to: 

  • Ensure clarity in strategic planning
  • Establish coherence throughout the system
  • Enact system-wide capacity-building processes
  • Craft your personal leadership skills  

With practical examples, stories from the field, and numerous activities and reflective questions, this insightful book takes you step-by-step through the work of the learning leader—so you can ensure engaged learning for all.


The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system.  As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not.  Take heed to McDowell’s advice and you’ll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you.  The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear. 
Douglas Fisher 
San Diego State University

Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • Preface: Lead the Learning
  • A Perspective From a Lead Learner
  • Author's Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Chapter 1. Setting the Stage
  • Are We as Leaders Ready to Prepare All Learners for the 21st Century?
  • The Driving Question: Are Our Decisions Leading the Learning?
  • A New Leadership Focus
  • Ensuring Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity: Crafting Improved Leadership Skills
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 2. Clarity: Strategic Planning
  • Three Questions That Ensure Clarity in Strategic Planning
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Resource
  • Chapter 3. Coherence (Part I): Learning System Infrastructure
  • Setting the Stage for Coherence
  • Establish Progress and Proficiency Expectations
  • Establish Standardized and Customizable Features
  • Coherence: Bringing It All Together
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 4. Coherence (Part II): Ensuring Inspired and Passionate Teachers in Schools
  • Linking Learner-Centered Beliefs and Behaviors
  • Unmasking Beliefs and Behaviors
  • Hiring and Developing Educators for Impact
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 5. Capacity: Community Learning
  • Building Capacity Through Continuous Improvement
  • Standardized Success Criteria
  • Customizable Organizational Routines for Learning
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 6. Crafting: The Lead Learner
  • Facing Competing Beliefs in Learning
  • Lead Learner Practices That Move Learning Forward
  • Establishing Common Agreements for Learning
  • Leverage Protocols for Dialogue
  • Model Current Initiatives in Daily Practice
  • Conclusion
  • Reflection Questions
  • Activities
  • Next Steps
  • Chapter 7. Conclusion
  • Moving Beyond Stark Differences
  • Influencing Educators
  • Recognizing the Rate of Change
  • Epilogue
  • References
  • Appendix
  • Sample Strategic Plans
  • Protocols
  • Sample Evaluation Tools
  • Sample Unit Plan
  • Demonstration Scenario
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

As the rules governing the practice of education evolve, educational leaders must be at the forefront of learning to be able to lead effectively. Through my experience in research, professional development and as a school district administrator, I know firsthand that the evolution of any practice – including education – must be informed by those on the frontline who are thought leader practitioners. In his book, The Lead Learner, Dr. McDowell, provides a case for why it is important for the leaders of learning organizations to continue their learning and to be at the forefront of discovery. He provides practical examples though empirical research and storytelling of ways that educational leaders can achieve the status of the Lead Learner.
Bernadine Futrell, Director, Leadership Services at AASA, The School Superintendents Association, AASA
The enduring contribution of this book is in the guidance it provides leaders to recognize that they are part, an important part, but just a part, of a networked system. As such, their decisions and actions send messages throughout the system about what is valued and what is not. Take heed to McDowell’s advice and you’ll have a healthy, growth-producing system that will be the envy of those around you. The work is possible, the information is available, and the results are clear.
Douglas Fisher, San Diego State University
It is great to pick up a book that puts learning first. This book offers an elegant set of resources that make leading learning so much easier. This is an essential resource for practicing and aspirant school leaders.
Neil MacNeill, Head Master, Ellenbrook, Western Australia
These tools, ideas, and resources will help you develop a shared commitment to improved learning for all. This book builds upon the work of respected researchers and practitioners, with the goal of achieving the outcomes that are most essential for ALL students.
Lynn Macan, Visiting Assistant Professor, University at Albany - SUNY

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