On Friday, Sept. 14, the teachers of Southeast Cornerstone School Division will gather to focus on the shared vision of "success and achievement for every student in every school." Specifically the day will focus on effective schools research and the process of school improvement, featuring Wayne Hulley.

Director of Education of Cornerstone, Don Rempel, said "the gathering will be at the Weyburn Comprehensive School, with 550 teachers attending the presentation. The reason that we have Mr. Hulley coming is to learn how to improve our shared vision of success and achievement for every student in every school. It should be really relevant to all our teachers and principals in our school division."

Hulley is the president of both the North Star Centre and Canadian Effective Schools Inc., in Burlington, Ont. He has taught every grade level and had been a principal and superintendent in and around the Toronto area. He has also taught motivational theory at four universities.

Effective Schools research has been a passion of Hulley's for over 30 years. His book, "Harbors of Hope", highlights the characteristics of schools and classrooms that make a significant difference in the lives of all students by creating hope through success. He has developed a planning process, Planning for School and Student Success, in conjunction with Larry Lezotte, the prime researcher in the Effective Schools movement in America. The process is improving student achievement, attitudes, behaviour and attendance in over 3,000 school.

Hulley is also a senior consultant with the Franklin Covey Company and has offered Seven Habits training across North America. His presentations are always stimulating since he combines research on school and student effectiveness with good humor and practical suggestions for action. He believes that the mission of every school should be "Learning By All - Whatever It Takes."

School improvement is a complex issue. Ideally stated, it is an opportunity for educators to collaborate and grow professionally in the creation of schools that are "Harbors of Hope", schools that make a difference for all students. The reality, however, is that any school improvement process resulting in meaningful, lasting change is fraught with ambiguity and challenge.

The improvement process in every school is unique, affected by demographics, existing culture, staff characteristics and leadership. Suffice to say that the process is uneven and messy with many "turns in the road" and "mountains to be climbed".

Over the years, many attempts have been made to reform schools and improve the learning outcomes for all students. These attempts, often based on external mandates and a demand for compliance, have not produced the desired change. Most have been unsuccessful because they failed to acknowledge the power human dynamics that exist in schools.

Technical changes and new programs have not worked in educational change and political pressures have failed to make a difference. School change is built on the complex interrelationship of emotion, hope, empathy and shared purpose. Shared hope and passion are required if schools are to become Harbors of Hope, or schools that are truly committed to learning for all.

The presentation will focus on both the technical and personal side of change and school improvement. Staff will leave with the knowledge of how good planning and staff commitment are both essential to getting better, not just getting by.