A Professional Learning Community for School Leaders: Developing Interpersonal Leadership Skills

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership Preparation: Continuing to Improve

Abstract

Many principals lack the skills to engage in effective and respectful conversations with teachers about teaching quality. This research reports on a two-year Principal Professional Learning Community (PPLC) in Norway focused on improving principals’ interpersonal skills in databased discussions with teachers about teaching quality. At PPLC meetings, six principals and deputy principals shared transcripts and their analysis of these discussions, evaluating and critiquing one’s own and others’ practices. Transcripts of five, two-hour long PPLC meetings were thematically analysed, examining participants’ actions, reactions and evidence of change over time. Our findings present an in-depth account of the principals’ and facilitator’s work highlighting the importance of focusing on data, the facilitator role and skills, and recognizing the personal nature of such work.

Authors

• Anne Berit Emstad, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

• Frauke Meyer, The University of Auckland