Leadership
their grade on the retake replacing their one-on-one and in small groups helps
original grade.
immensely. Videotaping student work
I have used this approach to grad-
and getting students to review the vid-
ing for the last four years, and I have
eos is a great way for students to engage
found that most students take owner-
in self-reflection, leading to improved
ship of their grade because they realize
confidence and skill.
that they have control over the grade
w
—Karen Tigani, acting vice principal,
they earn.
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
RECLAIMING OUR
TEACHING PROFESSION
—Andrew Schwei, Spanish teacher,
Jefferson High School,
Jefferson, Wisconsin
Little Acts of Encouragement
Teachers who were flexible about grad-
The Power of Educators
Learning in Community
SHIRLEY M. HORD & EDWARD F. TOBIA
Foreword by Karen Seashore Louis
ing used grades to motivate me, helping
Why I Hold Firm
me feel good about my ability as a
on Due Dates
student. Such teachers would round an
I have a strict policy about not accepting 89. 4 up to an A- because they believed
late work. Over the years this has made I deserved it. This simple act of being
a huge difference in student account-
flexible fired my belief that I was smart
ability (and my sanity—I don’t have
and made me feel that teachers were on
to chase students to hand in work). At
my side. On the other hand, the oppo-
the beginning of the school year, the
site was also true: Teachers who rigidly
kids grumble and make excuses about
stuck to their guns—a grade was not an
w
why they didn’t do their homework or
A- unless it was a full 90 percent—made
FINNISH LESSONS
project. But once they see that I am seri- me angry and discouraged.
What Can the World Learn from
Educational Change in Finland?
ous about not taking work past the due
Little acts such as these can strongly
PASI SAHLBERG
date, the completion rate goes up, and
affect a student’s attitude about educa-
Foreword by Andy Hargreaves
the excuses stop.
tion. We need to use little opportunities
Last semester, I had a student intern to show our students that we believe in
who accepted work whenever the kids
them.
handed it in, sometimes 3–4 weeks late.
—Janet Helms,
When he left, the students said, “Uh-oh,
high school math teacher,
no more late work.” We went right back
Spencer County High School,
to the status quo!
Taylorsville, Kentucky
—Suzanne Meyer, English teacher, Acknowledgement
Leland, North Carolina Gets an A
When I was young, I was a very good
Show an Active Interest
w
student. Simply going through the
TAKING CHARGE
When students see that you take a
personal, hands-on approach to their
motions usually earned me an A. My
4th grade teacher was the only teacher
Leading with Passion and Purpose
in the Principalship
PAUL SHAW
learning, they are engaged. Even
students who don’t normally complete
I had who acknowledged that my work
was above and beyond an A by giving
Foreword by Michael Fullan
Afterword by Andy Hargreaves
all their work begin to step it up when
they know that their teacher and peers
me the grade A++++. This motivated me
to complete my assignments to the best
AVAILABLE AT FINE BOOKSTORES
are taking an active interest. Providing
of my ability.
TEACHERS COLLEGE PRESS
ongoing, descriptive feedback works
very well. Conferencing with students
—Linda Belnap, ELL teacher,
Meridian School District, Idaho
800.575.6566
