Suggestions based on lessons learned

Shared Vision: Peter Senge notes that "Shared vision is vital to any organization because it provides the focus and energy for learning. While adaptive learning is possible without vision, generative learning occurs only when people are striving to accomplish something that matters deeply to them. ... Today, "vision" is a familiar concept in corporate leadership. But when you look carefully you find that most visions are one person's (or one group's) vision imposed on an organization. Such visions, at best, command compliance - not commitment. A shared vision is a vision that many people are truly committed to, because it reflects their own personal vision" (The fifth discipline, p. 206). For projects starting out it is important to continuously ask whether or not the vision for reform is shared and if it is not a shared vision, what can you do to create a shared vision in order to ensure commitment of all participants to project goals and outcomes.

Leadership: Project starting out should continuously engage leaders to ensure that their leadership style is not hands-on or hands-off. Instead leaders' style must be hands-under in order to create a platform of support for teachers and students. Most importantly, leaders can use this hands-under platform to provide a safety net for teachers to take risks. For teacher leaders this is a new role. Therefore professional development should help them to understand how leaders influence and create change.

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