Superintendents in Iowa all have the opportunity to participate in a Superintendent Network. These networks are using a model of instructional rounds developed by Richard Elmore. AEA leaders and superintendents from each AEA in partnership with School Administrators of Iowa have participated in training with Richard Elmore and his team from Harvard to learn how to faciitate these networks. There are currently networks in each AEA in Iowa.
The primary purpose of the network is to provide superintendents with a professional learning opportunity that focuses on the role of the superintendent in supporting effective instruction. The instructional rounds process involves the network in site visits to member districts. The host superintendent with their building leadership identify a practice that is part of their overall instructional improvement efforts. The network members spend time learning about that practice, go into classrooms to observe the practice and then provide the host superintendent with feedback about what was observed and engage in a process to leave the host with suggestions or ideas for next steps in their efforts.
The network process was piloted in Heartland second semester of last year. Members of the pilot network are: Denny Wulf- Norwalk, Rob Cordes- Carroll, Theron Schutte- Boone, Ed Ackerman- Colfax Mingo, Clay Guthmiller, Johnston and Greg Defoe- Adel. Site visits were conducted in Norwalk and Carroll. Facilitators in Heartland are Denny Wulf, Superintendent, Norwalk; Sharon Kurns, Director Professional Learning and Leadership, Heartland and Dave Stickrod, Partnership Director, Heartland. We are also pleased to welcome Mike Wells, Superintendent, Winterset who was trained as a faciliator for AEA 14.
We are seeking new network members for the 2009-2010 school year. Network members will meet after HAA meetings on the first Tuesday of each month to plan the site visit for the month. Site visits typically begin first thing in the morning and go until about 2:00 p.m. We will likely have several networks if there are a sufficient number of superintendents who want to participate. If you would like more information, don't hesitate to contact one of the facilitators listed above. You may also want to talk to some of the pilot network members. If you would like to join a network please contact Sharon Kurns at Heartland 515-270-9030 ext. 14362 or skurns@aea11.k12.ia.us by August 15, 2009.
