GLISI prepares Wilkes teachers to 'lead the climb' for changes

"Preparing for the Climb" was the buzz phrase heard by all the attendees at the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) Base Camp. The phrase refers to the mission of GLISI which is sharpening and refining the skills of school leaders to enable them to better lead (the climb) the school improvement initiatives in their schools and/or districts.

Systems selected to participate with the Institute sent a group of leaders to Base Camp. Once at Base Camp, each group was organized into teams called District Change Teams (DCT). The Wilkes County District Change Team consisted of Joyce Williams, Superintendent of Schools, Rosemary Caddell, Marie Echols, Steve Echols, Wanda Jenkins, Deleki Lee, Janet Pharr, and Bill Pendry.

Base Camp was an invigorating kickoff for the three-year commitment each school system had to make with the Institute. While attending Base Camp, the Wilkes County District Change Team began working with the GLISI Framework for Leadership of School Improve- ment by focusing on the following frameworks: Initiating School Improvement, Organizing for Improvement, Leading Better Seeking Teams, Analyzing Data, and Analyzing Causes.

The team worked exhaustingly long hours - reflecting, reading, discussing frameworks, and developing plans for implementation in the school system.

The Institute paid the expense for each team during Base Camp. The only requirements were that each team sponsor a kickoff event in their system and attend Base Camp dressed as a team.

The Wilkes County Change Team hosted a Kick-Off Breakfast at Southern Elegance Bed and Breakfast. The breakfast was sponsored by Farmers and Merchants Bank. First State Bank purchased two team shirts for each team member to wear to Base Camp. Pictured above is the Wilkes County Change Team in one of their two shirts (Bright Yellow, Tiger Logo on left pocket).

Later on this month, the District Change Team will reconvene at GLISI to refine skills on how to lead change in the school system. The Institute will focus on discussions of the following frameworks: Managing Legal Regulatory/Financial Requirements, Developing Relationships, Building Learning Communities, Leading High Performing Organizations, and Leading, Teaching, and Learning Modules.

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