Good to Great to Innovate

“Congratulations and thanks Lyn Sharratt and Gale Harild for this inspirational look at Innovation as the next step to move school systems from Good to Great. Lynn and Gale have synthesized current research and put forward real-life case studies to demonstrate that students succeed when there is an acute focus on instructional practice that is elevated by shifts in teacher mind-set and leadership development. The authors have cleverly presented complex data and research using straightforward language and graphics. This enticing approach will help educators clearly understand that the attainable solutions presented in each chapter will support every student. The examples and advice shared throughout this book and it′s precursor, Putting FACES on the Data have been catalysts for leading my team to thoughtful collective action within our K- 12 Family of Schools as we create pathways for literate graduates together.”

“Through extensive research and practical examples, this outstanding book puts forward a compelling case for structured, collaborative inquiry processes to achieve success for ALL students. We are reminded of the importance of maintaining a relentless focus, keeping alignment at all levels and feedback processes where feedback is both given and received. Significantly, the authors show that attention to perception data, particularly those of students, is vital in order to move from Good to Great to Innovate. The emphasis on student voice and collaboration between all stakeholders, elements too often lacking in previous school improvement conversations, sets this book apart and lays the foundation for leaders at all levels to challenge the ‘status quo’.”

“Without question the job market demands agility, resourcefulness, innovation and fearlessness. How will the education community respond? The authors of Good to Great to Innovate brilliantly map the DNA of a relevant education. Our call: to strip barriers and envision unlimited pathways to success.”

“The authors are to be applauded for advocating it is time for education leaders and skilled teachers to re-claim their role in the dynamic processes of educational change, particularly in the current context of the complex ‘social drivers’ identified early in the text. Innovative approaches to setting the course for career readiness and fostering positive attitudes to life-long learning are presented and supported with a veritable smorgasbord (including input from over forty-one jurisdictions around the world), of supports, resources and guidance systems to assist all students in finding their own ‘True North’.”

Lyn Sharratt, EdD, is a practitioner and researcher working in remote and urban settings worldwide. Lyn is an Adjunct Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada; a Fellow at University of Melbourne, Australia; an author consultant for Corwin Press; an advisor for International School Leadership with the Ontario Principals’ Council; and consults internationally, working with system, school, and teacher leaders at all levels in Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Lyn focuses her time and effort on increasing each student’s growth and achievement by working alongside leaders and teachers to put FACES on their data, taking intentional action to make equity and excellence a reality for ALL students. for articles, video clips, podcasts; on Twitter: @LynSharratt; on Instagram: lyn_sharratt; and on LinkedIn where Lyn owns the “Educational Leadership” LinkedIn group made up of 99,000+ members.Lyn’s authorship includes: Realization: The Change Imperative for Deepening District-Wide Reform (with Michael Fullan); Putting FACES on the Data: What Great Leaders Do! (With Michael Fullan); Good to Great to Innovate: Recalculating the Route, K-12+ (with Gale Harild); Leading Collaborative Learning: Excellence (with Beate Planche); CLARITY: What Matters MOST in Learning, Teaching and Leading (International Best-Selling Education Book in 2020); and Putting FACES on the Data – the 10th Anniversary Edition (with Michael Fullan).Lyn is proud of the recent co-development of the CLARITY Learning Suite (CLS) - a web-based collaborative Professional Learning opportunity that mirrors CLARITY. Lyn and her team believe that ‘everyone’s a leader’, thus CLS provides guidance to Learning Leaders on how to do this work of system and school improvement – together – to make a difference for all students. Harild is an educational practitioner and Pathway consultant. She is currently an instructional leader for York University. Gale served as curriculum administrator for the York Region District School Board in Ontario where over the past 12 years she provided regional leadership and program/resource development for Experiential Learning models including, but not limited to, cooperative education programming, international programming, service learning, and apprenticeship programs. Working with her Pathway team, Gale initiated and supported the successful start-up of sixty Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs across the district. SHSM performance measures for the district met and in some cases exceeded Ministry targets, with program completion rates and credit attainment rates higher than provincial averages. Gale has served on advisory and curriculum writing teams with the Ministry over the course of her career. Prior to her role as a curriculum administrator Gale was a high school teacher for 22 years. Her position as department head for Cooperative Education took her work into elementary schools and post-secondary destinations. Collaborating with community and industry sector partners, as well as post-secondary institutions, she has helped build and support pathways for all students by deepening the understanding of the interconnectedness between the curriculum and the work habits/essential skills that make up the profile of the Literate Graduate for the 21st century. Gale is committed to ensuring quality instruction so that every pathway leads to an opportunity. Visit Gale at Linkedin.