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In my working years we have seen an evolution from a deficit oriented 'School Reform' and 'Reorganization'
through 'School Improvement' .....to a more positive focus on Educational Transformation and a Culture of Continuous
Improvement.....each underscored in some settings by what I see as the very practical and uplifting Effective Schools and
Invitational Education movements.
Go directly to the four main strands of school transformation
Go directly to 'Invitational Education At-a-Glance'
Or..... start by visualizing......Create an image in your mind where you 'cordially summon' a student, or a teacher, to
reach toward their very highest human potential - intellectually, socially, physically, psychologically, or spiritually.
It is best to actually do this visualization, and now is the best time.... Who is the student? What
is the topic? What would you say...your words? What is your tone, your demeanor, your body language? What causes
the student or teacher to know and feel that you respect them and care?
It may help to recall
when this was provided to you. Some of the research focuses on students reporting that they try their best for teachers
who are 'encouraging' (vs a 'demanding' teacher). I ask teachers to act it out, to portray both
demanding and encouraging scenarios. This is where it starts. Continuing improvement at this is where it goes....
Getting this going, inside you, in your MIND, HEART & ACTIONS.... and in ALL your relationships, increases
the possibilities of meaningful classroom or school transformation exponentially! Patterson, in 'Crucial Conversations'
reminds us to 'Start with the heart' (details below)
School Transformation
builds on and strengthens the work of School Improvement and School Reform Models and adds the vital dimension of shared vision, shared moral values, and a 'collaborative' focus on the shared
vision, the shared moral values, and the current reality. It depends on professional learning and on
transformational leadership by students, teachers and administrators - leadership based on shared moral values for its authority,
not on positional authority.
“To get to a place you’ve never been, you must go by a road you have never
traveled.” Purkey & Gerber
Education Does NOT Equal Schooling
When you finish scanning the page you are on, click here to go to the Four mail threads of school transformation: Proven strategies
at the School and Classroom Levels - - - 1 Aligning Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction 2 Creating and Maintaining a Culture
of Character & Continuous Improvement 3 Invitational Education & Transformational Leadership 4 School-Level Strategies
21st Century "Learners" are Different! Please also consider the videos presented at the end.
Start With the Heart - See Chapter 3 of 'Crucial Conversations) Two points of the Head-Heart-Hands triangle.
IAIE May Workshop - May 24, 2012 Hong Kong
Video Example From Thomas Panter - "With this clip, we see the first meeting between Mr. Kotter and his class. I would love
to hear your thoughts on the connection it has between IE in classroom. The fact that each student is allowed to assume a
role in the class is powerful. While four students dominated the class, the rest of the students never said a word. Although
Mr. Kotter allowed four students to dominate his class, he did create a positive relationship with each of the four (Washington,
Epstein, Horshack, and Barbarino). He eventually gave amazing trust to the four students that no one else in the school would.
It was a consistent part of the show. Was there intent by Mr. Kotter to disinvite the other students?" Thomas
(See Carl Rogers pp. 36-38)
The Chinese Finger Puzzle - Broader Learnings....
To get to a place youve never been, you must go by a road you have never traveled. From Great Wizard or Good Witch? Two Models
for Professional Counselors by Purkey & Gerber
School Transformation & INVITATIONAL EDUCATION
Invitational Education Overview
Transformational Leadership - Walking The Talk Rubric
21st Century Enlightenment? The Brain, Empathy & Human Potential
Two of the 5 Ps from Invitational Education - People & Processes
Project-Based Learning & Social-Emotional Skills
School Transformation & Transformational (Teacher) Leadership 
School Transformation & Transformational (Teacher) Leadership | | School
Transformation builds on and strengthens the work of School Improvement and School Reform Models and adds the vital
dimension of shared vision, shared moral values, and a collaborative focus
on the shared vision, the shared moral values, and the current reality. It depends on transformational
leadership by students, teachers and administrators - leadership based on shared moral values for its authority, not on positional
authority. School transformation aims at continuous educational and system improvement - the development
of a culture of high quality human relationships. It aims beyond schooling. School Transformation results
from a blending of initiatives involving the head, the heart, the hands and and the spirit.....it is cognitive, and emotional,
and action oriented, and guided by serving that which is larger than ourselves.......
School Transformation builds on and strengthens the work of School Improvement and
School Reform Models and adds the vital dimension of shared vision, shared moral
values, and a collaborative focus on the shared vision, the shared moral values, and the current reality.
It depends on transformational leadership by students, teachers and administrators - leadership based on shared moral
values for its authority, not on positional authority. School transformation aims at continuous educational
and system improvement - the development of a culture of high quality human relationships. It aims beyond schooling. School
Transformation results from a blending of initiatives involving the head, the heart, the hands and and the spirit.....it is
cognitive, and emotional, and action oriented, and guided by serving that which is larger than ourselves....... |
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Transforming Public Education: Sustaining The Roots of American Ideals... by Benjamin & Hanes
Project Video - Education For A Sustainable Future
Foshan Experimental Elementary School Nov 2010 - One feels 'welcomed' at an Exceptional Invitational Education School
click here for a picture of the welcoming ceremony...
Walking The Talk PPT
Walking The Talk Leadership Rubrics
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Invitational Education & Invitational (Teacher) Leadership "This
model (Invitational Leadership) shifts from emphasizing control and dominance to one that focuses on connectedness, cooperation,
and communication....it is founded on the principles of respect, trust, optimism, intentionality and caring." Purkey
and Siegel in Becoming an Invitational Leader. 2003 Invitational
Education aims to guide students to their highest potential - intellectually, socially, physically, emotionally and morally.
It offers a highly useful and powerfully structured approach to creating a worthy school culture, and is therefore a
proven, powerful, transformational initiative.
Imagine improving
your relationships with others by doing a better job of modeling your core values.....especially if your values include
respect, trust, optimism, intentionality and caring. Imagine a specific relationship of great importance to you, improved
by your actions demonstrating respect, trust, optimism, intentionality and caring on your part. Keep imagining, then explore some collaborative creative problem solving, and make some small
innovations aimed at improving the culture you live and work in.....stay with it....keep checking the vision and the current
reality (see Plato and Aristotle in the Raphael painting) and keep adjusting. You might be creating the future you prefer!
Invitational Education Articles, Modules & Prompts
China - Some of my most inspiring, most important, and most
meaningful experiences and friends have come from my recent work with schools in Hong Kong, then in Guangzhou and Foshan,
and now leading further into the interior of China. Much of this work, especially in Hong Kong, has been
with my long-time friend and colleague Dr. Betty Siegel, pictured below next to the 'Rememberance Rock' she had placed
on the Kennesaw State University campus - to remind everyone to continually ask the big questions, such as those from
Carl Sandberg - Who am I? Where am I going?
Invitational Education & Intrinsic Motivation - "I
like learning, I just don't like being taught" annomous
Daniel Pink
Voice & Choice and Intrinsic Motivation
Voice, Good Teaching & Friendship - The King's Speech
Case Studies:
Nashville: Anne Lewis (1997), identified what she feels are features of successful schools:
1. A strong
focus on academic success for all
2. No excuses
3. Experimentation
4. Inclusiveness
5. Sense of family
6. Collaboration and trust
7. Passion for learning and growing...Leadership of the Principal
Recent studies
reinforce those ideas. It is best to start from the thoughts of someone who has
done it – a turnaround principal.
Dr. Linda Collins, Principal, Berry Elementary School in
Nashville, Tennessee, and her staff responded to the challenge
by moving average reading
scores from the 24th to the 54th percentile. How? She says:
♣ Hard work
♣
Curriculum alignment
♣ Intervisitation between grade levels
♣ Careful implementation of instructional
“best” practices – including frequent assessment
of pupil progress
♣ Improved collaboration
Projects: Hong Kong - Fundamentals Workshop & Advanced Workshops
Foshan China
Liannan China Partnering with Betty Siegel in Hong Kong
Willow Run Community Schools
The China Story - Developing Chinese Case Studies with Betty Siegel
Yan Oi Tong Project: 2011 - 2012
Primary Resources: Add - Purkey paper - IE & School
Transformation
A 'Chalk Talk' on Optimism (Current Reality / Vision)
International Association of Invitational Education
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"Too Much On The Plate?"
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Transformational Models
The Role of the Right Questions in Transforming the Culture - Peter Block
Transforming Math Instruction / Orientation
Transformational Idea - Creativity as Important as Literacy? Sir Kenneth Robinson
How is Invitational Education / Invitational Leadership different from traditional, more coercive, approaches? (Cat Herding?)
Effective Schools Research: The early search
for 'Best Practices'
A+ School Model
Effective Schools Research / Best Practices [click on all underlined text]
Assessment: Learning in College?
Related
Prompts, Modules & Courses:
School Transformation: Related Prompts, Modules & Courses:
The Frederick Reed 'Letters From a New Principal'....and More
Frederick Reed was the remarkable elementary Principal in Winetka IL during the times when Carlton Washburn, colleague of
John Dewey, was Superintendent. They created Nationally recognized schools with their own form of progressive education.
Since coming into posession of the Reed 'Letters....' New and inquiring principals, and other leaders, have raised
very insightful questions.......which await a variety of answers......
Frederick Reed Letters
A Private Universe: What causes the seasons? Click on VoD box to view the Video With its famous opening scene at a Harvard
graduation, this classic of education research brings into sharp focus the dilemma facing all educators: Why don't even the
brightest students truly grasp basic science concepts? 1 - What seems to be the problem? 2 - What strategies come to mind?
3 - How might the use of the arts help with learning, understanding, and application?
Engagement-Based Marketing
"It is.....a glimpse of the future, said Mark Smale, a senior vice president with Creata, the Australian company that created the site for McDonald’s. Mr. Smale said in an interview that companies are
realizing that, when going online, the best strategy is to forgo immediate sales in order to build lasting emotional relationships
with children. In that sense, McWorld is a more sophisticated version of the sites that Matt Richtel discusses in an article
about the online marketing of food to children. “It’s not overtly aimed at trying to sell product,” Mr. Smale said. “If it is,
the people you’re trying to reach won’t be interested, they won’t be engaged.” This
approach, known as engagement-based marketing, has become an important tool for companies marketing to children. Mr. Smale’s
clients also include Kellogg’s, Nestle, and Coca-Cola.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/mcdonalds-makes-subtle-play-for-children-online/
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We hope you enjoy the site. If you have any questions, or suggestions, related to the content of the website,
please contact Dr. Richard Benjamin at richardbenjamin@BenjaminSystems.com
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