The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

List of Figures Foreword by Sheldon H. Berman Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction 1. The West Linn School District District Context 2. Three Key Leadership Functions Transformational Leadership The Development and Nurturing of Shared Community Vision The Development and Nurturing of an Ethic of Continuous Improvement The Development and Nurturing of the Organization's Commitment to Productive and Ethical Human Relations Quaker Theology: As a Belief System and a Metaphor 3. Making a Virtue Out of a Necessity: The Beginnings of the People Strategy The People Strategy for School Improvement Supervising the Probationary Teacher Annual Celebration of Excellence 4. Hiring the Very Best The Eye of the Proprietor Faculty Recruitment/Selection at West Linn High School Reflection Questions: Hiring the Very Best 5. Making Continuous Professional Learning an Organizational Norm Professional Development and the People Strategy Professional Development Strategy #1: Budgeted Building and District Funds Professional Development Strategy #2: Professional Growth Planning Professional Development Strategy #3: Tuition Reimbursement Professional Development Strategy #4: Cooperative Master's Program Professional Development Strategy #5: Professional Development Fund Leading Through Limited Partnerships Reflection Questions: Making Continuous Professional Learning an Organizational Norm 6. Providing Responsive Developmental Supervision Four Key Concepts Governing Supervision Supervision When Professionals Are Having Problems A Veteran Teacher Struggling With Classroom Management Reflection Questions: Providing Responsive Developmental Supervision 7. Differentiated Supervision: Evaluation Outside the Box Supervision and Evaluation at West Linn High School When is Traditional Evaluation Necessary? The Proposal for a Differentiated Supervision System Reflection Questions: Differentiated Supervision 8. The Extended Shadow of the Leader An Outside Superintendent Example #1: Assigning Students to Classrooms at Cedaroak Park Elementary School A Keen Eye for Talent Example #2: Multiage Classrooms at Boeckman Creek Elementary School Reflection Questions: The Extended Shadow of Leadership 9. The Acceptance of Uncertainty Scientific Management and Proven Practices Feigning Certainty Choosing a District-Wide Computing Platform Providing Developmentally Appropriate Education at Willamette Elementary School Uncertainty and School Culture Reflection Questions: Acceptance of Uncertainty 10. Hubris: An Ever Present Concern The "Worrier in Chief" The Political Context of Public Schools Owning Up To Flaws The High School Annual Report: Warts and All The Gang of 1,000 Reflection Questions: Keeping Hubris at Bay A Final Word Epilogue References Index