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The Four Cornerstones of Effective Schools
How to Build Lasting Success
Lead school improvement with greater impact and without burnout through a proven, systems-oriented approach. Author Darin A. Thompson shows how intentional leadership, a thriving school culture, and empowered staff create the conditions for meaningful, high-quality instruction and lasting change.
Benefits
- Reframe their mindsets to foster clarity-driven leadership for change
- Initiate transformational practices to create stronger school commitment and buy-in
- Provide proper support to enhance educators’ instructional effectiveness
- Get insight into effectively leading collaborative teams
- Implement cornerstone-specific protocols
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: Embracing the Pivotal Leader Mindset
Chapter 2: Creating a Constructive School Culture
Chapter 3: Building Staff Capacity for High-Quality Instruction
Chapter 4: Collaborating Schoolwide
PRINTABLE REPRODUCIBLES
Chapter 1: Embracing the Pivotal Leader Mindset
Chapter 2: Creating a Constructive School Culture
Chapter 3: Building Staff Capacity for High-Quality Instruction
Chapter 4: Collaborating Schoolwide
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Books
- Conzemius, A. E., & O’Neill, J. (2013). The handbook for SMART school teams: Revitalizing best practices for collaboration (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. W., & Mattos, M. (2016). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (3rd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. W., Mattos, M., & Muhammad, A. (2024). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (4th ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Flygare, J., Hoegh, J. K., & Heflebower, T. (2022). Planning and teaching in the standards-based classroom. Marzano Resources.
- Friziellie, H., Schmidt, J. A., & Spiller, J. (2016). Yes we can! General and special educators collaborating in a professional learning community. Solution Tree Press.
- Many, T. W., Maffoni, M. J., Sparks, S. K., & Thomas, T. F. (2022). Energize your teams: Powerful tools for coaching collaborative teams in PLCs at Work. Solution Tree Press.
- Mattos, M., Buffum, A., Malone, J., Cruz, L. F., Dimich, N., & Schuhl, S. (2025). Taking action: A handbook for RTI at Work (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A. (2015). Overcoming the achievement gap trap: Liberating mindsets to effect change. Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A. (2018). Transforming school culture: How to overcome staff division (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- Muhammad, A., & Cruz, L. F. (2019). Time for change: Four essential skills for transformational school and district leaders. Solution Tree Press.
- Nielsen, M. (2024). The 15-day challenge: Simplify and energize your PLC at Work process. Solution Tree Press.
Websites
