Jessica Blum-DeStefano

Eleanor Drago-Severson, Jessica Blum-DeStefano & Deborah Brooks Lawrence Educators committed to social justice enter into the work in markedly different ways. Drawing from research with 50 educational leaders from across the United States, Growing for Justice explores how leaders committed to social justice support the growth of others while also developing their own capacities […]

“With so much unrest and uncertainty in our nation, in this city, and in our district, teams continue to be the glue that holds my school together. I make sure to ask teachers, ‘How are you feeling?’ They all need a place to emote, to learn, to plan, and to […]

Teaming — when done well — can make all the difference. Nearly all the teachers and leaders we work with serve on one or more teams. Yet where do we learn how to be effective team members? What common challenges do teams face? And how can a developmental approach help […]

Reflecting on what she felt was the most vital leadership work happening in her large urban district, an experienced superintendent recently announced at a professional learning event: “If we can get adult development right, we can change the world.” Likewise, when the principal of a once-struggling school was asked about […]

Feedback plays an important role in education. New teacher and principal evaluation systems, the Common Core State Standards, and Race to the Top initiatives, among others, underscore the critical importance of giving and receiving meaningful, actionable, and effective feedback to colleagues — regardless of their roles in schools. But when […]