HOW SCHOOLS
THRIVE
BUILDING A COACHING CULTURE FOR COLLABORATIVE TEAMS IN PLCs AT WORK®
foreword by Robert Eaker
THOMAS W.
MANY
MICHAEL J.
MAFFONI
SUSAN K.
SPARKS
TESHA FERRIBY
THOMAS
Copyright © 2020 by Solution Tree Press
Materials appearing here are copyrighted. With one exception, all rights are reserved. Readers may reproduce only those pages marked “Reproducible.” Otherwise, no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission of the publisher.
555 North Morton Street
Bloomington, IN 47404
800.733.6786 (toll free) / 812.336.7700
FAX: 812.336.7790
email: [email protected]
Printed in the United States of America
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,