FEATURE ARTICLE
The Power Of Connectivity
Multilayered program grooms assistant principals’ leadership skills
By Learning Forward
April 2011
Vol. 32 No. 2
Every teacher knows that exposure to new information is one small part in the teaching and learning process. Before students truly learn a concept, they must actively engage with material — discussing, sharing, seeing, and practicing it — to make it their own. In other words, they need to connect with concepts and have opportunities to apply them spontaneously. As we know, learning involves making connections — or what we call “the power of connectivity.” This powerful process is central to supporting children’s and adults’ learning and development. Here we share one powerful program that is built around connectivity. This program focuses specifically on professional development for assistant principals as they grow in their efforts to become more effective leaders and ultimately assume a principalship.
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References
Cheliotes, L.G. & Reilly, M.F. (2010). Coaching conversations. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press.
City, E.A., Elmore, R.F., Fiarman, S.E., & Teitel, L. (2009). Instructional rounds in education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.
Drago-Severson, E. (2004). Helping teachers learn: Principal leadership for adult growth and development. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press.
Drago-Severson, E. (2009). Leading adult learning: Supporting adult development in our schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press & NSDC.
McEwan, E. (2003). 10 traits of highly effective principals: From good to great performance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Wagner, T., Kegan, R., Lahey, L.L., Lemons, R.W., Garnier, J., Helsing, D., et al. (2005). Change leadership: A practical guide to transforming our schools. San Francisco: 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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