Building the Foundation for Professional Teaching and Learning
This book displays 37 “Friday Focus” memos, each of which provides insight into a specific aspect of teaching and learning for all to reflect on throughout the year. Friday Focus memos address the principal's responsibility to shape the school culture, provide intellectual stimulation, and communicate effectively. The memos are organized around the school year and provide educators with a wide variety of insights into how to improve our schools. They are typically between 500–1,000 words in length and can be sent out via e-mail to each staff member – not only to the teachers but also secretaries, custodians, and cafeteria workers. A vehicle for school improvement, the Friday Focus memos provide a step-by-step plan for staff members and principals to work together as change agents for school improvement.
With only a few weeks remaining in the school year, there was still so much I
wanted to share with our teachers. Of course, the end of the school year is not the
optimal time to introduce teachers to new ideas we would like them to implement
in their classrooms. Obviously, most teachers are not receptive to such insights at
this time. Although I did not feel this was a time to write about something
completely new, it did seem like an appropriate time to revisit the work of Rich
Allen's Impact ...
