Schools CAN Change

If there is no change in how teachers teach or in how students learn, we cannot justify the time spent in meetings. This holds true for our PLC's or anytime we come together as teams or as an entire faculty.
School improvement is based upon our ability to create a change system and it requires a culture of discipline. As Jim Collins explains in his book Good to Great, schools require a culture of disciplined people, disciplined thought, and disciplined action.

So what are the fundamentals of effectiveness for school improvement? Aristotle reminds us that, "we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." A culture of relationships and collaboration is an essential part of school improvement and increased student learning performance. The school environment must nurture excellence, risk taking, and creativity.

A shared vision is critical for success.
Waukesha North's vision is:

* Waukesha North will be a learning organization dedicated to equity, excellence, and high expectations for all.

* Waukesha North will create a performance culture of learning that promotes innovative thinking, collaborative learning, and personalized learning experiences to prepare students for their future. We will nurture a culture of excellence and equity for a continuum of learners.

Professional learning teams must share this vision for improving school innovation and increasing student learning performance. The guiding question must always be asked, what are students learning and achieving as a result of what teachers are learning and doing in PLC action teams? All teams must engage in cycles of collective learning and inquiry to improve educator practice and student performance. Every team must set specific, measurable targets for improved student learning in their classrooms for each cycle of learning and inquiry during the school year, measure progress toward these targets, examine student work samples and data, and modify work with students. Sound familiar?

You know what needs to be done. For successful change to occur, teams must establish a sense of urgency and create and communicate a compelling vision. All teachers are leaders. Support one another to take action for innovation and improving student learning.