By Innovating Solutions for Rural Leadership Challenges: Getting Better Together By Thomas A. Butler, Ph.D. tbutler@iu08.org Hobart L. Harmon, Ph.D. hharmon@shentel.net Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 Altoona, PA 16602 Presentation at: Association of Educational Service Agencies Annual Conference The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Springs, Colorado November 30, 2018

2018 AESA Conference Theme Courageous Leadership Inspires Bold Action (Getting Better Together)

Presentation Focus Understanding the leadership challenge (Getting Better Together)

Presentation Focus Understanding the leadership challenge Customizing leadership process

Presentation Focus Understanding the leadership challenge Customizing leadership process Emphasizing collaborative strategies

Presentation Focus Understanding the leadership challenge Customizing leadership process Emphasizing collaborative strategies Exploring need: AESA Affinity Group

Understanding Leadership Challenge Context IU8 School Districts N = 35 PA Intermediate Units N = 29

Understanding Leadership Lens Transformational viewpoints: 1. Learner-centered education 2. Community-focused learning experiences

The New Learning Ecosystem

Community-Focused Learning Connects learning experience to living in a rural community Expands social capital opportunities for learners (i.e., social relations that have productive benefits for learners and rural places) Advances role of education for sustainable rural development (i.e., economic, ecological, equity)

“It ain’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, its what we know that ain’t right.” --Will Rogers

Customizing a Leadership Process Our Innovative Process: CARE Catalyzing Action for Responsive Education

Leadership Action CARE process steps: Discovery

Leadership Action CARE process steps: Discovery Capacity building

CARE process steps: Leadership Action Discovery Capacity building Intentional place-based innovation design

CARE process steps: Leadership Action Discovery Capacity building Intentional place-based innovation design Success assurance

Discovering Local Solutions: Examples Innovation Root Cause Appreciative Leadership Inconsistent (unsolid) district leadership culture Let’s Talk Student sexual abuse and mental health issues Blended Learning Insufficient classes, small staff and money Learning Pathways Inadequate amount and staff use of technology High School 1:1 Tech. Initiative Inability of instruction to teach and reach students where they are Career Prep Concept Students without real-world work experience Work Mentor Program Students perceive no opportunities to stay in local community

Summary: Getting Better Together The GBT initiative: Builds on success in local districts and schools Uses iterative process that results in multiple place-based adaptations, not “one best way model” Leverages and builds regional capacity and talents Creates network of credentialed innovation leaders Reinforces collaborations and partnerships among those interested in learning and the future of rural places

Group Discussion: Collaboration Strategies Guiding Question: What collaboration strategy is your ESA leadership pursuing that embraces learner-centered and community-focused principles for rural areas? (For example, at IU8 it is the Getting Better Together initiative.) Answer: Please provide: Your name Your ESA name & location Your collaboration strategy (or leadership actions)

Group Discussion: AESA Affinity Group Guiding Questions: Could we Get Better Together by collaborating to share our ideas, challenges/solutions, lessons learned and successes? Should we consider forming an AESA Affinity Group on ?

Group Discussion: AESA Affinity Group What is an AESA Affinity Group? Purpose: To broaden your professional networks. Open to the employees of the ESAs that are members of AESA. Formed around common interests or issues, rather than common job titles. Meetings occur electronically throughout the year. Join if you work for an ESA that is also a member of AESA.

Group Discussion: AESA Affinity Group What is common interest or issue? Learner-centered Education for Sustainable Rural Development