How Schools Thrive. Susan K. Sparks

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Names: Many, Thomas W., author.

      Title: How schools thrive : building a coaching culture for collaborative teams in PLCs at work / Thomas W. Many, Michael J. Maffoni, Susan K. Sparks, Tesha Ferriby Thomas.

      Description: Bloomington, IN : Solution Tree Press, 2019. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

      Identifiers: LCCN 2019023394 (print) | LCCN 2019023395 (ebook) | ISBN 9781947604599 (paperback) | ISBN 9781947604605 (ebook)

      Subjects: LCSH: Professional learning communities. | Teaching teams. | Mentoring in education. | Teachers--Professional relationships.

      Classification: LCC LB1731 .M337 2019 (print) | LCC LB1731 (ebook) | DDC 371.14/8--dc23

      LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019023394

      LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019023395

       Solution Tree

      Jeffrey C. Jones, CEO

      Edmund M. Ackerman, President

       Solution Tree Press

      President and Publisher: Douglas M. Rife

      Associate Publisher: Sarah Payne-Mills

      Art Director: Rian Anderson

      Managing Production Editor: Kendra Slayton

      Senior Production Editor: Suzanne Kraszewski

      Content Development Specialist: Amy Rubenstein

      Proofreader: Kate St. Ives

      Text and Cover Designer: Abigail Bowen

      Editorial Assistant: Sarah Ludwig

      All of us have had coaches who played an important role in our lives. To us, both personally and professionally, Rick and Becky DuFour were the consummate coaches. They were our biggest cheerleaders and supporters. They made us believe that we could accomplish anything and were making a difference in the world.

      As leaders, authors, colleagues, and friends, Rick and Becky showed us how to lead by example. When faced with a challenge, they would roll up their sleeves and work side by side with us, articulating a clear vision of the desired future and identifying specific strategies that would lead to better outcomes.

      Rick and Becky also showed us the importance of having a sense of urgency about this work. They didn’t get caught up in the over-analysis of perceptions, data, or time-consuming planning processes. Instead, they led their schools and districts by learning together, translating research into practice, creating solutions to problems, and moving quickly to turn ideas into concrete action steps. They showed us that talking endlessly wouldn’t solve anything; only people doing the work would.

      We are forever grateful to have been coached, mentored, and influenced by Rick and Becky. They were masterful educators who embodied the essential elements of collective inquiry, continuous improvement, action orientation, and a focus on results each and every day.

       —TOM MANY AND SUSAN SPARKS

      “If you have seen further it is on the shoulders of giants.”

      —Sir Isaac Newton

      To my “giants,” Dr. Deena Tarleton and my late dear friend Dr. George Dietrich: Any career path that spans over thirty years and many changes requires mentors who are willing to walk beside you. Thank you for affording me the gift of seeing further as a teacher and a leader and allowing me to thrive. Your imprint on my career and my heart remain.

       —MICHAEL MAFFONI

      To Laura Jacobi, Carrie Korican, and Sunshine Weber, the best teacher team and group of friends a girl could ever ask for. Of course, I could not have written a single page without the love and support of my Tony and Elise. I love you both with all my heart.

       —TESHA FERRIBY THOMAS

       ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      A project like How Schools Thrive is a team effort. We would like to thank the whole team at Solution Tree Press; they are the best in the business! In particular, we want to recognize the incredible support we have received from Suzanne Kraszewski (our editor extraordinaire!) who is simply the best of the best! We sincerely thank you for the patience, effort, and expertise you showed in editing our manuscript. Finally, we appreciate the ongoing encouragement we received from Douglas Rife; we could not have done this without you!

      Solution Tree Press would like to thank the following reviewers:

      Jack Baldermann

      Principal

      Westmont High School

      Westmont, Illinois

      Taylor Barton

      Principal

      Lake Forest Elementary School

      Sandy Springs, Georgia

      Janna Cochrane

      Principal

      North Greenville Elementary School

      Greenville, Wisconsin

      Jamie Lakey

      Assistant Principal

      Coppell Middle School North

      Coppell, Texas

      Kathy Liston

      Instructional Coach

      Brookview Elementary School

      West Des Moines, Iowa

      Joshua McMahon Principal

      Morton West High School

      Berwyn,