Creating a Culture for Learning

Creating a Culture for Learning is based on the belief that all schools must create cultures that promote professional growth in order to succeed in their commitment to the achievement of high standards by all students. It includes self-assessments, reviews of the literature, numerous practitioner examples, and tools and templates to answer these questions: • What are the characteristics of cultures for learning? • What structures promote and support cultures for learning? • What knowledge, skills, and attitudes are needed to create, implement, and maintain cultures for learning? • How can schools best use data to inform practice? • What is best practice in teaching, learning, and leading in such a school?

Paula Rutherford is president of Just ASK Publications & Professional Development in Alexandria, Virginia. In addition to her work as a consultant and trainer, Paula's professional experience includes work in regular education K-12 as a teacher of high school history and social sciences, physical education, Spanish, and kindergarten, as well as a special education teacher, coordinator of special education programs, school administrator at the middle school and high school levels, and as a central office staff development specialist.She works extensively with districts as they engage in long-term systemic work to align processes such as hiring, induction, professional development, school improvement plans, and supervision and evaluation. She also leads Mentoring in the 21st Century® Institutes across the country and has developed a comprehensive Mentoring in the 21st Century® Resource Kit so that districts can replicate the Just ASK institutes and provide extensive follow-up support for mentors. Paula is committed to building in-house capacity and has developed a New Teacher Professional Development Kit and a Certified Local Trainer (CLT) program based on Instruction for All Students, Leading the Learning, and Why Didn't I Learn This in College? Paula also writes a free e-newsletter titled: Mentoring in the 21st Century® which is available at http://www.justaskpublications.com/21st_newsletter.htm.Paula received her B.A. from the University of Oklahoma in secondary education and a Masters Degree of Education from the University of North Florida. She can be reached at paula@justaskpublications.com. For more information about Just ASK Publications & Professional Development, visit http://www.justaskpublications.com.