Excerpted from Glenn McGee, Lessons from the Golden Spike High Poverty High Performing Schools, 2002:

Leadership Training at All Levels

“Many of the Golden Spike principals succeed because they bring incredible skills to the position. Though some are black and some are white, some are old and some are young, some are extroverts and some are introverts, they are all leaders. That is, each has created a collective vision, and each has worked collaboratively with staff and community to advance this vision and incorporate it into school improvement plans. They set a daily model for all members of the learning community. As a group, they are driven, resourceful, focused and even have a sense of humor. Most of all, they are really hard workers. They are not as much worried about clinical supervision and evaluation as they are finding ways to reach each child. As Rick DuFour distinguishes in a recent article (2002), they are “learning centered” leaders. Several superintendents and principals also cited the importance of teacher leadership. For example, there is the first grade teacher in St. Marie School in Jasper who “will not let students fail” and who succeeds in driving the 4 BlockTM implementation.”