2. 2001- Jim Collins publishes a book titled Good to Great. This
book discusses leadership, and it identifies leaders who have
“personal humility” and “professional will.” This style of
leadership and management focuses on individuals who are
disciplined and hard working. They are willing to adapt to new
technology or other resources and will embrace these resources
whenever possible. He discusses the importance of getting the
right people on the bus, meaning those who are resistant to
change will be left behind. He also refers to the “Flywheel,” which
is the idea if you keep promoting something and continue to
head in the right direction then you will build momentum. Collins
believes that once this momentum starts it can carry you a long
way. These are important qualities that individuals must realize.
He stresses that people need to be realistic rather than idealistic.
You must be clear in the direction you are headed. With all the
changes that occur in education you must be able to keep up.
This book is a great reminder of how today’s educators can risk
becoming complacent, especially in times of economic hardship.
3. – Professional Learning Communities (PLC) take
charge in education. These communities are made up
of teachers and supported by principals and other
staff members. The objective of these PLC’s is to
allow educators an opportunity to collaborate,
enhance leadership skills, and focus on impacting
student learning. Through PLC’s teachers can
develop strategies and devise lesson plans that are
more effective in the classroom. They will also ensure
that individuals continue the shared vision of the
school. These are important in education today
because in order for schools to succeed everyone
must share the vision and have the opportunity to
play an integral part in the organization.
4. 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will
Follow You, published by John Maxwell. This book identifies 21
laws that help individuals become great leaders. He discusses
various components such as the concepts that leaders are not
appointed or assigned. Instead, influence plays a major role.
Another factor is making sure leaders build relationships.
Maxwell refers to this as “helping the heart before you help the
hand.” Not only should one build relationships with others but it
is equally important to understand that great leaders also
develop future leaders. One must always remember that
preparing for the future is vital. These laws focus on the leader
as an individual and what can be done to help an organization be
more effective and efficient. I believe these are great rules that
all leaders should follow because it can be hard when teachers
begin the process of fine-tuning their leadership skills. There are
many challenges one will face and being reminded of what
leadership is can help individuals make the transition much
easier.
5. Edie Holcomb publishes Asking the Right Questions.
This book focuses on implementing school change. It
examines what schools and individuals need to do in
order for change to be successful. She discusses
leadership, curriculum, assessments, instruction,
accountability and supervision. When a school or
district is going through change it is important to ask
the right questions: Where are we? Where do we want
to go? How will we get there? How will we know we
are there? How will we sustain it? These questions are
important to focus on when change is being
implemented. Too often in education there are
demands to change. However, if a planned course of
action is not followed then change will not occur, and
that will negatively impact the results.
6. Collins, J. C. (2001). Good to great: why some companies
make the leap--and others don't. New York, NY: Harper
Business.
Holcomb, E. L. (2009). Asking the right questions: tools for
collaboration and school change (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks,
CA: Corwin Press.
Maxwell, J. C. (2007). The 21 irrefutable laws of
leadership: follow them and people will follow you (Rev.
and updated 10th anniversary ed.). Nashville, Tenn.:
Thomas Nelson.
Professional Learning Communities - References. (n.d.).
The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and
Improvement - Home. Retrieved June 4, 2012, from
http://www.centerforcsri.org/plc/references
