Marshall has an unusual model of school leadership in that teachers are empowered to move the educational enterprise forward while the administrators provide resources and support. Central to the model is the school's teaming structure. There are six academic teams and a seventh exploratory team consisting of teachers from the following areas: guidance, gym, performing arts, the library/media center, art, and music. Each team has extraordinary autonomy with regard to scheduling, instruction and instructional materials, assessment, organization, and decision-making.

Historically, there have always been four teams at Marshall. Last year, with input from the staff, Marshall decided to move to six smaller teams, the size recommended by the school improvement team. Also, by forming new teams, Marshall hoped to infuse new ideas and shake up some teams that were becoming stagnant. The administrators began the process by doing a "dream team" survey of all teachers, asking, "If you could work with anyone you wanted, who would it be? Is there anybody you absolutely wouldn't teach with?" Most teachers responded that they wanted to stay with the same people. The administrators took from this that the teachers really wanted the administrators to do it. So they did, and some people were unhappy for the first month, but it finally settled down. (Each new team planned together for two days before school began this year.) The exploratory team is attached to other teams only for administrative purposes. According to Principal Barillas, the team autonomy is based on the fact that "the administrators trust the teams to do the best for kids. And the results justify the trust."

Teachers are empowered in many ways at Marshall. All the teams had an in-service on middle school philosophy and the transitions to high school. The principal says, "It's part of treating teachers like professionals. Getting a lot of in-service training is professional; having autonomy over time management is professional." Every teacher also receives $500 to spend on materials. Teams pool their money and decide how to spend it. Teams also make decisions on hiring new teachers for their teams. The principal does the first cut, and then the teams make the final choice. The assistant principal says there is no down side to teaming. It ensures that everybody has a voice, even the kids.

Org. Structures - NEXT

Schools to Watch Home | Our Criteria | Visit Our Schools | Links | Tell a Friend | Talk to Us | National Forum