ISSL Module 1: Leadership for System Improvement – Online

In this module participants will

Understand effective school-level leadership

• examine attributes of an effective school leader for 21st century teaching and learning using international leadership frameworks
• explore the management versus instructional leadership dichotomy within the context of national and international schools
• enrich the understanding of the common elements of effective school leadership as identified by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCED), the Wallace Foundation and Council of International Schools (CIS) Characteristics of Accredited Schools
• examine components of instructional leadership including setting vision, creating a safe and orderly environment, developing other leaders, improving instruction and managing people, data and processes within a diverse school
• understand dimensions and capabilities outlined in Viviane Robinson’s Student Centered Leadership research from the perspective of capacity building at the system level
• explore Michael Fullan’s research on the three roles of the instructional leader that maximize impact – lead learner, system leader and change agent and
• examine the research of Ana Maria Villegas and Tamar Lucas about cultural responsive pedagogy (institutional, personal and instructional) including the mindsets of culturally responsive educators.

Understand effective system-level leadership

• examine system-level leadership frameworks and the research of Ken Leithwood, Michael Fullan, Andy Hargreaves, Lyn Sharratt, Avis Glaze, John Hattie and Karen Edge
• understand the four leadership attributes by Lyn Sharratt and Gale Harild (2014) that move learners into 21st century skills – knowledgeable, mobilize, sustain, innovate
• explore the role in terms of processes, providing and aligning resources, developing leadership capacity and ensuring productive relationships and understand the personal leadership resources.

Collectively apply their new knowledge to

develop a draft system-level leadership framework by reflecting on the literature and other frameworks.

Your Instructor is Jeff Blackwell.

Jeff Blackwell is a life-long learner who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the learning of others in a variety of leadership roles including, teacher, vice-principal, superintendent of schools and Associate Director for a large school board in Ontario, Canada. As a leader, Jeff has a reputation of excellence amongst his colleagues.
At heart, Jeff remains a teacher. He distinguished himself as a program instructor for the Ontario Principals’ Qualification Program and the Supervisory Officers’ Qualification Program (system-level certification) with the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC). Further, his life-long passion for the study of the role of emotional intelligence in leadership resulted in provincial recognition and workshop delivery across the province. In addition, his expertise has been utilized in the development and facilitation of the online courses for an Ontario university’s School Board Administration Program. And, most recently, Jeff joined the cadre of ISL Instructors, with a focus on system-level leadership programs and study tours. In all of these roles, Jeff has demonstrated excellence in teaching.

“Jeff Blackwell was outstanding! I really liked how he brought out discussion and provided insightful feedback.”
Anonymous testimonial from a student