Synthesize
Throughout this module, you and your team have explored the challenges of recruiting, preparing, and retaining the team you need to realize your vision. You’ll need a strong school leader, superb faculty and staff, and a sustainable model for teacher preparation and collaboration. Here’s a look at how other high school design or redesign teams have grappled with some of these same issues.
Now it’s time for you and your team to step back and reflect.
Step 1 – Summarize Your Work
What are the top challenges facing your school leader (or leaders)? How will you recruit, prepare, and retain the leaders, teachers, and other staff your students really need? How will you ensure that the adults in your school reflect the diversity of your student population and your community? Working with your team, summarize your conclusions.
Step 2 – Share Your Vision
Now get ready to share your ideas with others in your school and community.
- Describe the school leader (or leaders) your school really needs. Note the three qualities your team believes are most important.
- Now describe the most essential qualities you’re seeking in the adults who will be part of your school community.
- What qualities, skills, and characteristics are you looking for across your entire team?
- What specialized skill sets or knowledge domains will you need? Which ones are top priority from the very start, and which might you be able to add over time? Do you expect that some will be hard to recruit for?
- What routines and practices will you put in place to ensure collaboration across your school community?
More Resources on this Topic
![student smiling]()
Creating a Teacher PipelineBrooklyn LAB High School, an XQ School, has developed a distinctive fellowship and residency program to build its own teacher pipeline.
Watch![a student holding a camera]()
How a High School Teaches TeachersDiscover how High Tech High prepares educators who can succeed in its project-based model focused on deeper learning.
Explore![students in a garden]()
Smart Staffing to Serve At-Risk YouthHow do you staff a high school to meet the many needs of at-risk youth? Assistant principal Erin Whalen describes how DaVinci RISE High evolved its staffing strategy over time.
Read and Watch![teacher smiling]()
Shared Leadership in ActionWatch this video about a Washington, D.C. school to see what a schoolwide "instructional leadership team" can look like in action.
Watch![student building a project from sticks]()
If You Listen, We Will StayHiring teachers of color is just the first step. This study by the Education Trust and Teach Plus reveals how to keep them.
Read![student smiling]()
Shaping an Anti-Racist School CultureHow can a school support staff in building a long-term culture of anti-racism? This resource from TFA explores the issues—and what school leaders can do.
Read More![students and teacher together]()
Starting the Equity ConversationThis library of webinars from the National Equity Project can support the deep work of addressing racial inequity within a school.
Watch![a student writing]()
Moving Toward MasteryCompetencyWorks describes how to grow, develop, and sustain educators who can succeed in competency-based learning environments.
Read
