Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities
Team leaders use a skillful approach to move past barriers to learning
By Learning Forward
December 2013
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Three weeks into my first year as a teacher, I am standing in the hallway at dismissal when the director of instruction gently approaches me and says, “Elisa, the principal wondered if you could lead your team’s meeting.”
“Today?” I ask, slightly panicked that the meeting starts in 15 minutes, and I have never led a team of adults before, let alone five colleagues with more experience than me.
He musters up his best smile and says, “For the year.” He adds, “Just put a couple things down on paper as the agenda and try to get people to stick to it. You’ll be fine.”
The Skillful Team Leader
By Elisa MacDonald
This book is an essential resource for team leaders and trainers of team leaders. The author offers a skillful approach to team leadership rooted in values, mindset, intelligence, and skill. Reality-based examples illustrate common team hurdles in collaboration, shared leadership, goal setting and attainment, rigorous discourse, and continuous improvement.
Available in the Learning Forward Bookstore, www.learningforward.org/bookstore or 800-727-7288.
References
Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Random House.
Fullan, M. (2008, April 9). School leadership’s unfinished agenda: Integrating individual and organizational development. Education Week, 27(31), 36-41.
Goleman, D. (2002). Primal leadership. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
London, J. (1916, August 17). The Kanaka Surf. Available at www.jacklondons.net/writings/MakaloaMat/surf.html.
Senge, P., Kleiner, A., Roberts, C., Ross, R.B., & Smith, B.J. (1994). The fifth discipline fieldbook: Strategies and tools for building a learning organization. New York, NY: Crown Business.
Wagner, T., Kegan, R., Lahey, L., Lemons, R.W., Garnier, J., Helsing, D., & Rasmussen, H.T. (2006). Change leadership: A practical guide to transforming our schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.
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