ABSTRACT
Leaders of effective schools and districts are expert at challenging the status quo, using knowledge to innovate, asking the right questions and listening to the answers, and creating a sense of urgency about change. A primary function of leadership is to produce positive change. Principal Koehn led the learning and change process at Kennedy Elementary by continually asking the right questions and listening to the responses. Effective school and district leaders know that identification of the "stumbling blocks" to improved learning and the creation of plans for making needed changes are the first and easiest steps toward increased learning. Forward thinking leaders create environments that encourage faculty and staff to search for ideas for improvement, while reinforcing the direction of the school or district at every opportunity. Chugach School District’s (CSD) Superintendent Crumley modeled asking the right questions and listened to the community’s answers. Informed leaders understand that real change occurs only through open and honest dialogue among the stakeholders.
