I’ve been thinking quite a lot lately about how school systems tend to promote the “superteachers” in their midst when it comes to new initiatives and changes, excluding the majority of educators who will be impacted by changes in policies, procedures, or curriculum.  The dysfunction is immediately apparent, as these individuals gather power and privilege to themselves while the rest of the staff become divided and resentful.

The result is that, no matter how great the practice or idea illustrated by these favored few may be, it is likely to fail miserably.  This TED Talk by Margaret Heffernan really hit home this week.

What will it take to get school districts to recognize the importance of building social capital and a sense of collective ownership?  Meanwhile, we watch good ideas flounder and waste more time when we could and should be working together for our school communities and students.