“Collective efficacy is the belief that together, we can make a difference.”

I always love reading the latest book summary on the 15th of every month from Jenn David-Lang via her platform, The Main Idea. Her most recent summary focused on the book Collective Impact: Overcoming the Twelve Enemies of Teacher Efficacy by Jenni Donohoo and Glenn Forbes. Jenn’s summary shed a fresh light on both “the 4 powers leaders can draw from to build the collective efficacy of staff” and “the 12 enemies that drain collective efficacy, and strategies leaders can use to combat them” (David-Lang 2026, 1).

As we approach the end of the school year, I am harnessing the notion that Jenn, alongside authors Jenni and Glenn, propose in Collective Impact: to combat the 12 enemies with a proactive action plan that offers what to emphasize and de-emphasize with teachers. 

John Hattie’s research lists “collective teacher efficacy” as having the greatest impact on student achievement.  The question is, how are instructional leaders and school systems proactively supporting teachers to realize their sense of “collective self-belief?”  How can we cultivate a climate of collaboration over competition within our learning communities and be transparent about decision-making to ensure we are fueled by a co-created vision? 

Reach out to me here to begin the conversation.

What I’m Reading Now

Upcoming Schoolutions Episodes

This May, Schoolutions podcast offers four conversations that center the voices and experiences of our children: their streets, their stories, their leadership, and their languages. Each guest takes you on a journey beginning with reclaiming city streets for kids, to teaching climate justice through story, to trusting every student with real leadership, and ending with finally reaching the multilingual learners hiding in plain sight. 

Don’t forget to join our Schoolutions Podcast community by clicking this link.

05/04 (Part 1) & 05/08 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 36 Streets are for kids, too.

Urban planner Sabina Sethi Unni is on a mission to transform the clogged streets in front of New York City schools into outdoor classrooms, block parties, and safe spaces for kids to breathe. Sabina breaks down exactly how the School Streets program with Open Plans works and what it would take to bring it to every school in New York City.

05/11 (Part 1) & 05/15 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 37
Facts don't move people. Stories do.

High school ELA teacher and climate educator Xochitl Bentley proves that the English classroom might be the most powerful place to tackle the climate crisis, and she has the framework, the Fulbright, and the book to back it up. Tune in to hear how storytelling, environmental justice, and SEL come together.

05/18 (Part 1) & 05/22 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 38 Student leadership belongs to every student.

In this conversation, international educator and author Rachael Thrash challenges everything we think we know about student leadership. Rachael makes a compelling case for why we need to co-create school culture and why handing real power to students doesn't just change schools, it changes the world. 

05/25 (Part 1) & 05/29 (Part 2) Season 5, Episode 39 
Five years in your school. Still invisible.

Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton are on a mission to reach the students everyone assumes are fine: experienced multilinguals who can chat in the hallway but still can't write a formal essay with ease. Tune in for the personal stories, the framework, and the moves that offer these students the instruction they've always deserved.

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