Common Threads in Successful Schools

     It is interesting that sharing power in a school results in more job satisfaction and better performance.  Dufour also clearly states that good principals empower teachers.  I think that is the goal, but we aren't there yet in my school.  There are too many divisions among the teachers in order for administration to empower us.  What has happened is that some teachers feel empowered while others do not, creating a school environment that is competitive and non-trusting rather than a cohesive unit.  We need to take our eyes off of our differences and return to our fundamental reason for working at the school, i.e. to ensure that our students learn. 
     Collaboration is required in a PLC school and the author makes it clear that time needs to be deliberately scheduled to allow this.  When teachers work together for a common goal, then they are more likely to find common ground and look for common ways to ensure the success that is our purpose.
     Assessments should be used to improve teaching and learning, not to show whether students passed or failed or to evaluate the effectiveness of a school.  Intervention following the assessments is critical.  After an analysis is done of what is needed to improve the learning, then there needs to be the practical application of what can be done to intervene.
     In the model presented in the book, the leadership team met daily.  This team consisted of the principal, the assistant principals, and  the department chairs.  They then divided into teams for other meetings and parents were parts of the learning teams.  No one member of the team was the designated leader for every member; leadership flowed from one member to another based on what expertise was needed at the time.
     The author made it clear that there would be members of any staff not willing to buy into the PLC concept.  These teachers should be allowed to request a transfer, if needed, in order to maintain the integrity of the final goal. The community can only be achieved if everyone involved buys in, including administration, teachers, support staff, students and parents.