LM changing how its Teacher Leadership System is led
by Robyn Ireland [email protected] · February 20th, 2020


Linn-Mar is changing how its Teacher Leadership System (TLS) is led. The organization currently has a program director leading the group, a structure unique to Iowa schools. That role, however, will be dissolved at the end of the 2019-20 school year and the administration of the team will move to assistant superintendent Nathan Wear's staff. Though two board members expressed concerns, superintendent Shannon Bisgaard said the change is necessary at the board meeting on Monday, Feb. 10.

"With the two new [intermediate] schools coming online in the fall, everything changes," said superintendent Shannon Bisgard. "Sometimes in ways we didn't anticipate."

Designed in 2013-14 and implemented in 2014-15, the program was established by the Teaching-Learning Process (TLP) Committee. The committee, composed of 13 individuals from key stakeholder groups, including administrators, teachers, and parents, was led by teachers Debra Barry, Sue Atwater and Erin Watts. They decided on:

One program director

11 instructional coaches

Seven technology integration coaches

Two mentor coaches (for first and second year teachers) and

One special education instructional coach

120 stipend leader positions

The balance will shift by

adding two instructional coaches (one each for Hazel Point and Boulder Peak); two technology integration coaches (one each for the new schools); eliminating one mentor coach (for second year teachers); and eliminating the program director.

"But if what we're doing is working, and is something other school systems in the state wish they had done, what if the change negatively impacts the program?" asked board member Rachel Wall. "I worry that the people we're shifting the director role to already have enough on their plate."

"The responsibilities are not going to a single individual," Wear said. "We're dividing up the job among several individuals. We think the structure of the program we have in place is strong enough that it will support the program overall and the changes we're making."

"It's definitely something we're going to have to keep an eye on," added Bisgard. "And we may end up tweaking things. This is the way we decided we could best support the new schools this next year."

The four goals of the TLS have not changed:

1. Improve instruction to increase student performance and achievement through collaboration on school improvement initiatives with the building principal;

2. Increase opportunities for collaboration between teachers through collaboration with building professional learning communities (PLC's);

3. Increase professional development and leadership opportunities for staff through collaboration with level director of teaching and learning, and

4. Attract and retain new teachers by providing ongoing professional development, classroom support, and a comprehensive mentoring program for first- and second-year teachers.

TLS is part of Linn-Mar District's on-going efforts to improve as High Reliability Schools (HRS). Nine of the schools are currently working toward being certified at Level 1 (Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture), while the high school is already certified at Level 3 (Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum). There are a total of five levels in the HRS model.