Comments for Dennis Sparks on Leading and Learning

Comment on 6 ways you can influence others by Dennis Sparks

Dennis Sparks — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:21:50 +0000

Good point, Mike. I think of it as leaders “being the change” that they seek in others. It is not only what they do, but who they are as well.

Comment on 6 ways you can influence others by Dennis Sparks

Dennis Sparks — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:20:23 +0000

Yes… All of us can learn a great deal from our colleagues. The challenge, I think, is creating the cultures that enable such experimentation and risk-taking. I appreciate your comment.

Comment on 6 ways you can influence others by Mike Phillips

Mike Phillips — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:02:10 +0000

Leaders can role model.

Comment on 6 ways you can influence others by principalsintraining

principalsintraining — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:42:45 +0000

Leaders can shine a spotlight on outstanding practice and provide the time and space for the organization to learn from risk-takers and innovators on staff. Leaders can reach out to those who are hesitant or fearful of trying new things and encourage/push them to learn through trial, error, failure.

Comment on How changing just one belief can help create schools in which everyone thrives by Dennis Sparks

Dennis Sparks — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:22:46 +0000

I am pleased, Wanda, to have prompted such a wise and warm memory of your father. Thanks for sharing it.

Comment on How changing just one belief can help create schools in which everyone thrives by Wanda Dean

Wanda Dean — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:30:03 +0000

Laughed aloud at your blog this AM.

My father was an agriculture teacher, sheriff and tax collector, then school administrator. All my life he said, “Unless something is learned, nothing is taught.” Being a typical kid I rolled my eyes and did not really listen. It was not until a few years ago that I really, really understood what he was saying. Now I quote him frequently and will quote him when I do PD in the MS delta in a couple of days.

Thanks for the laugh.

Comment on Why it’s important for leaders to believe in teachers’ capacity for growth by mmebrady

mmebrady — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:09:34 +0000

Excellent point. I was at a training session where a leader articulated that she did not believe veteran teachers could learn as much as new teachers. Not a strong vote of confidence for those of us veteran teachers who consider ourselves lifelong learners!

Comment on Why it’s important for leaders to believe in teachers’ capacity for growth by Dennis Sparks

Dennis Sparks — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:39:47 +0000

You made a really important point, John. Teachers’ engagement in their professional development and collaboration is, I think, an important indicator of student engagement. Likewise, principals’ engagement in their professional development and collaboration affects teachers’ engagement.

Comment on Why it’s important for leaders to believe in teachers’ capacity for growth by Jamie g

Jamie g — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:35:59 +0000

While I fundamentally agree with you Dennis, I feel that the role played by the teachers union (in Ontario) actually hinders this: they tend to block progress rather than support it. “Don’t tell us how to teach, and don’t you dare try to make us change!!” I feel like this is one of those topics that gets little discussion, but is actually quite huge.

Comment on Why it’s important for leaders to believe in teachers’ capacity for growth by John Robinson

John Robinson — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:34:26 +0000

I agree totally. All teachers are capable of performing at high levels. While I think it is clear, we can’t “motivate” just like the classroom, we, as school leaders, are responsible for providing the conditions that foster their engagement as teachers. We talk about student engagement and how important that is. Maybe we need to look to teacher engagement too. Perhaps they don’t perform because the school climate doesn’t provide conditions that engage them to tackle instruction and instructional issues. Just a thought. Great post.