LSL Inspiring Education Council Structure 2014-2015
Engaged
Learners
•English and Languages
•Science
•Social Studies
•Math
•Learning Coach
•IB DP
•LSI /LSE
Ethical
Citizens
Entrepreneurial
Spirit
•Chaplain /District Chaplain
•Religious Education
•School Resource Officer
•Student Services
•Techician
•IB MYP
•Student Leadership / SAC
•Career and Technology
•Fine Arts
•Physical Education
•Athletics
•Business Manager
•Grad Coach
•Parent Advisory Council
“An organization rich with many interpretations develops a wiser sense of what is going on and
what needs to be done. Such organizations become more intelligent.” Margaret Wheatley
As LSL furthers its exploration of Inspiring Education, it becomes essential that we examine the
challenges and directions stemming from the Ministerial Order of May 2013. To achieve this,
our previous model of Faculty Council will need to evolve from a sitting body that discusses
emerging issues, to that of an action oriented system which proactively seeks means to expand,
enhance and energize the educational experience for all partners and stakeholders of our
learning community.
Margaret J. Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc., 2006.
Inspiring Education Council (IEC) will consist of a set of three steering committees which will
ultimately report to the entire staff which is represented in the Leading Successful Learning
circle. It must be stated that the departments / persons listed in each of the three E -circles are
not exclusive to that particular circle. This is to say that Engaged Learners should be just as
important to CTS, PE, Arts and Religious Ed as any other subject area. Conversely, matters of
Ethical Citizenship and Entrepreneurial Spirit need apply to all stakeholders. All three E-circles
are inextricably linked.
In the diagram provided above, primary departments / persons have been listed as key
stakeholders for our venture and adventure into this new model. It is quite likely that, over
time, each various department or person will rotate through the three circles e.g. over a three
year cycle. There will be an administrator assigned to each of the circles who will serve as a
facilitator / point of contact for the circle.
IEC, or more conveniently, “Ed Council”, while comprised primarily of admin, department heads
and other lead teachers, will seek to draw other school, community or district representatives
(stakeholders) from time to time to serve on committees or sub-committees that arise to serve
the action objectives and deliverables of the circle. The entities listed in the chart are
suggestions as to who might be naturally aligned to a particular E-circle. This does not mean
that each circle is widely populated or people heavy but could, when required, add more
members for projects and undertakings. The larger teams listed in each E-circle might be called
together for process work or committee work on PD days or as required. A collective team, with
two or three delegated or chosen representatives from each E-circle would serve as an
executive board when required for strategic planning or other matter of need.
Margaret Wheatley asks: “Why would we stay locked in our belief that there is one right way to
do something, or one correct interpretation to a situation, when the universe demands
diversity and thrives on a plurality of meaning?” We know that people will support what they
create. This new model gives us more channels of communication, distributes leadership
amongst more partners and allows us to build synergy. Wheatley adds: “We live in a universe
where relationships are primary…nothing exists independent of its relationships.” My hope is
Margaret J. Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc., 2006.
that we can make this model come alive and leverage it to examine at all the heavy lifting that
goes on in our school and ensure that the burden is better distributed and shared across the
community.
We endeavour to work smarter and in doing so seek to maximize the quality of teaching and
learning that transpire in our community. I firmly believe that we at LSL have the creativity,
capability and commitment to make this a reality. Wheatley encourages us: “We must engage
with each other, experiment to find what works for us, and support one another as the true
inventors (architects of learning) that we are.” I look forward to your reflection, feedback and
insights as we move forward in exploring and utilizing this model.
Meeting Mechanism for IEC
IEC will meet the last Thursday of each month, with exception of district –wide PD events, from
1:15-3:15 PM commencing in August (or at special times as required or as directed by the
principal). In turn, each E-circle will then present information, feedback, guidance etc. at the
general staff meeting on the first Thursday of each month. Ensuing Thursday afternoons will
remain Level, PLC, IB, Inclusive Ed etc.
Mandate of each E-circle
Each E-circle will examine, understand and communicate the function and role of their
respective aspect of Inspiring Education with the whole community. Means to embrace the “E”
will be articulated from a whole-school perspective and seek to leverage ways to move the
whole school forward. It may mean that certain circles take on specific or specialized projects.
Wheatley perhaps states our purpose best in the following excerpt:
We need to imagine ourselves as beacon towers of information, standing tall in the integrity of
what we say, pulsing out congruent messages everywhere. We need all of us there, stating,
clarifying, reflecting, modeling, filling all of space with the messages we care about. If we do
that, a powerful field develops – and with it, the wondrous capacity to organize into coherent,
capable form.
When we do this we become filled with possibilities and create an energy that will truly light
our way! I am excited for our community to set out deeper waters.
Margaret J. Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc., 2006.
Engaged
Learners
Ethical
Citizens
Entrepreneurial
Spirit
The viability and resiliency of a self-organizing system comes from its great capacity to adapt
as needed, to create structures that fit the moment…It is not locked into any one structure; it
is capable of organizing into whatever form it determines best suits the present situation. Margaret Wheatley P. 82
LSL could stand up three steering committees (action groups) comprised of various
stakeholders who interact and interface with single and dual area teams. Additional
representatives or committee members would be pulled from student / parents. We would
be able to participate in serving the emergent needs of the school community adding energy
and action to whatever is needed. Information would be shared from each E-circle to the
whole LSL community or pertinent stakeholders via meetings, messaging, or other strategic
means. Education Council (formerly Faculty Council) would serve as an executive interface.
Margaret J. Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc., 2006.