Page 14 - EdViewptsSpring2017

Teacher Leadership @ FMS

By Dr. Reginald Davenport, Principal, and Melinda Rosso, Teacher, Franklin
Middle School

December 16, 2015 was eran staff member stated that we are Wilhelm (2013) stated it this way: Prin-
the 23rd, 24th, and 25th school admin- cipals can no longer lead instructional
a cold day. It was the first day I istrators that she had worked for in 10 reform alone. The voice and expertise
walked into Franklin Middle School as years. Stability was a concern. of teachers are essential to improve
its new interim principal. The school… The FMS school structure was part teacher learning. It was clear that shar-
a Focus School with more than 1,000 middle school and part high school. ing leadership responsibilities was going
7th and 8th graders, of whom 65% had Teachers had middle school, best to be imperative to meet the needs of all
scored below proficient on the 2015 practice, common planning every day stake holders. Building leaders, with for-
PARCC, a faculty of 120 teachers (45- but only with their department members. mal positions of authority had to reflect
1st or 2nd year), and another 30 staff There was no interdisciplinary planning, on what it meant to share these respon-
members including the secretaries, meeting, conferencing, or sharing of sibilities in a way that did not undermine
safety officers, counselors, paraprofes- resources. Many teachers did not know our formal authority.
sionals, CST, and the deans of students. their colleagues outside of their depart- Many schools of thought and research-
The school had a recent history of high ment/discipline. While the school had ers support the need for teacher
turnover of staff and had a less than many good things happening within leadership in our schools. However, how
favorable reputation in the community. and many truly dedicated educators teacher leadership is defined and what it
The grade level vice principals were who placed students learning first, I had looks like depends upon many contexts
moving on as well and two vice princi- been hired to make a difference. We and conditions. Teacher leaders are
pals, new to the building but not new to were charged with taking the school critical to the success of middle level
building leadership arrived immediately from good to great, and that was going education. Sadly, schools often lack a
following the holiday break. One vet-
to require a great deal of heavy lifting. plan for developing leadership amongst

Educational Viewpoints -12- Spring 2017