The Leadership Talks Podcast welcomes France Thibault, former Superintendent with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, for a conversation where she shares her experience leading teachers through the experience of the "Lesson Study". France found the strategies transformative for her professional practice, for the teachers' cross- and interdepartmental  collaboration, for the development of profoundly creative differentiated instruction to reach all students, and to build a learning community which embraced critical thinking among both the students and the teachers.

France also mentions her experience with Cooperative Learning and the weekly meetings of small groups of schools where Principals were able to deepen their understanding of their role and share their experience and knowledge. The parallels were obvious, and this work was received enthusiastically throughout her tenure.

Additional Resources: 

• John Hattie's Visible Learning: the Sequel: A synthesis of over 2,100 Meta-Analyses relating to Achievement
• P14: Lucy West
• P16: Lucy West - Questioning
• P28 Lucy West - Culture of Classroom Discourse
• Leading Lesson Study: A Practical Guide for Teachers and Facilitators by Jennifer Stepanuk et al

OUR GUEST

• France Thibault, OCDSB

HOSTS

• Lawrence DeMaeyer – Professional Learning Consultant, Ontario Principals’ Council
• Susie Lee-Fernandes – Director of Professional Learning and Engagement, Ontario Principals’ Council

Season 2 Episode 10 Transcript