On December 2, 2006, the Houston A+ Challenge hosted a follow-up session for the coaches trained in 2006. We gathered together for the opening moves and an ice breaker where we shared books that had changed our practice. You can read about the special titles here.

The participants then split into two groups. The summer cohort stayed with me, Tim, and Mary, while the fall cohort went to another room with Michaelann and Carolyn. Michaelann and Carolyn mostly recreated the agenda that we did with newly trained coaches at our first meeting on September 9, but added some different readings.

The group that I worked with started with a text-based discussion about stages of team-development, a chapter called “Understanding Group Dynamics and Decision Making” from The Facilitator’s Fieldbook by Tom Justice and David Jamieson. This helped push our thinking about where our groups are and how we can push them forward. After a break, we looked at a dilemma with a student that Paul brought.

The two cohorts reunited for a group debrief and written reflections. Here are excerpts from the written reflections.

On December 2, the CFG Implementation Team hosted a follow-up training for the newly trained coaches. For the icebreaker, we asked each participant to bring a book that had "changed your practice." Here are the titles of influential books that we shared. If I left off your book or comment, it's because I lost your sticky note. Feel free to add more suggestions in the Comments section.

Change Leadership by Tony Wagner

Results Now: How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning by Michael Schmoker

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
"It reminded me that it is not about me, it is about those who we 'serve' (our students, our teachers, and leaders).

Ignite by Cheryl Willis

Concept Based Instruction by Lynn Erickson
"This book made lesson planning/ curriculum planning tied together. Completed the picture for me."

Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson (Several participants mentioned this book.)
"It was an amazing book to help me be able to deal with change at work, but moreso in my life."

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
"This book, in story form, unfolds all the issues that make for a dysfunctional team and how to tackle them to become unified."

Strategies That Work by Ann Goudvis and Stephanie Harvey (At least 2 participants mentioned this title)
"It has really changed my teaching process with the students as far as helping the students to use strategies that will help them think about what they are reading. To be actively engaged in text reading."
""Clearly discusses and models ways to get students actively engaged with text and thinking while reading. It make me realize that so many young children struggle so with reading, that they do not think as they read. They work call."

Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand: How to Create a Culture that Cares for Kids by James Vollbracht.

Sent to the Principal's Office by

Other People's Children by Lisa Delpit

Change Forces: Probing the Depths of Educational Reform by Michael Fullan
a quote from the book: "Teachers' capacities to deal with change, learn from it, and help students learn from it will be critical for future development of societies" (p. ix)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
"Not directly about education but upon rereading it--I think I'd like to teach like Atticus Finch lived and did his work. Plus I have one of the few autographed copies. If there was a fire this is one of the 5 things I would grab as I ran out the door."

What a Writer Needs by Ralph Fletcher

Acts of Teaching by Joyce Armstrong Carroll An Edward E. Wilson

Strategies for Classroom Management
"Have students compete against themselves. See where they are at and lead them to higher level. Make objectives relevant to personal experiences."

Building Shared Responsibility for Student Learning by Anne Conzemius and Jan O'Neill
"This book puts together the ideas of reflection, focus, and collaboration. It has helped me be more focused and unapologetic about dropping activities that don't advance my work. it has helped me set goals."