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Joan Richardson

Joan Richardson was formerly the director of communications for NSDC and wrote extensively for NSDC's publications, including JSD, The Learning System, The Learning Principal, Teachers Teaching Teachers, and Tools for Schools.

JSD columns

• Results: If you don't try, you can't succeed at school improvement, JSD, Summer 2008.
• Results: The learning school: A clear vision leads to results, JSD, Spring 2008.
• Results: Student achievement scores prove professional learning's merit, JSD, Winter 2008.
• Results: Schools that beat the odds don't back away from a challenge, JSD, Fall 2007.
• Results: No tears for the dear departed 'inservice' -- its time has come, JSD, Summer 2007.
• Results: What actions would take your district in a better direction? JSD, Spring 2007.
• Results: Leaders can ensure that all students have access to quality teaching, JSD, Winter 2007.

JSD articles

• Q & A: As the leadership changes, JSD, Summer 2007
• Second to none: A tireless devotion to education leads Stephanie Hirsh to NSDC’s top spot, JSD, Summer 2007
• Better by the dozen: 12 Under 12 network participants draw strength and encouragement from their shared commitment, JSD, Fall 2006
• Steeped in study: Remote Canadian school district approaches professional learning with a passion, JSD, Fall 2005
• Learning benefits everyone, JSD, Winter 2000.
• We're all here to learn, JSD, Fall 1998.
• Reform by design can succeed, JSD, Spring 1998.
• Engaging the public to improve student learning, JSD, Summer 1997.
• Smart use of time and money enhances staff development, JSD, Winter 1997.

The Learning System

• Long Beach district strengthens its core: Deep focus on content standards aligns curriculum at all levels, The Learning System, September 2008.
• Alaska's principals warm to coaching project, The Learning System, May 2008.
• The plugged-in school: Districts harness technology to attract and retain new teachers, The Learning System, April 2008.
• A fresh perspective: Network gives superintendents a safe space to learn and grow, The Learning System, March 2008.
• Network offers a lifeline for superintendents, The Learning System, February 2008.
• Shared assessments open a window into the classroom, The Learning System, December/January 2008.
• Individual plans must support student learning goals, The Learning System, October 2007.
• Road map for leadership: District's guidance system encourages teachers on the path to certification, The Learning System, May 2007.
• Bargaining time: Union contract spells out how and when professional learning will happen, The Learning System, March 2007.
• All aboard! Four strategies build school board's commitment to professional learning, The Learning System, February 2007.
• All fired up: Team effort fuels growth in school-based coaching, The Learning System, December 2006/January 2007.
• Standing up, speaking out: Boulder confronts its discomfort with diversity, The Learning System, October 2006.
• High-performing districts reach out to improve, The Learning System, September 2006.
• Chattanooga schools stretch to reach success, The Learning System, April 2006.
• Weighing in: Georgia schools use an online survey to evaluate effectiveness of professional learning programs, The Learning System, March 2006.
• Investing in people pays off, The Learning System, February 2006.
• Reaching for the 'impossible', The Learning System, November 2005.
• 8 steps to improvement: Indiana district examines student data and adjusts instruction, The Learning System, October 2005.
• Profile in leadership: Relationships and teamwork lead to student success, The Learning System, September 2005.

The Learning Principal

• 'Hope is not a strategy': Coaching is effective at closing the gap in Georgia school, The Learning Principal, September 2008.
• Principals cultivate support to nurture new teachers, The Learning Principal, April 2008.
• The trust factor: Schools change when coaches build relationships with teachers, The Learning Principal, February 2008.
• From adversity to achievement: Arizona school beats the odds with its back-to-basics approach, The Learning Principal, December/January 2008.
• Quest for excellence: High-quality professional learning transforms two Boston elementary schools, The Learning Principal, November 2007.
• A wish come true: Teacher Advancement Program scatters seeds of learning throughout school, The Learning Principal, October 2007.
• Innovation Configurations light the way for deeper learning, The Learning Principal, September 2007.
• Leading a building of learners: National Board Certified Teachers raise the bar for all, The Learning Principal, May 2007.
• Dynamic groups: Teachers harness the power of professional learning communities, The Learning Principal, March 2007.
• Principal draws up a game plan for school coaches, The Learning Principal, December 2006/January 2007.
• Staying focused, The Learning Principal, April 2006.
• Charting a new course, The Learning Principal, February 2006.
• Springfield program nurtures leadership growth: Multifaceted approach focuses on principals, The Learning Principal, October 2005.
• Profile in leadership: Invest in relationships and students will prosper, The Learning Principal, September 2005.

Teachers Teaching Teachers

• As parents hover, some new teachers flee: Gen X parents challenge young teachers, Teachers Teaching Teachers, April 2008.
• NSDC profile: Kathy Spruiell & Christy LeMaster -- Math coaching, squared, Teachers Teaching Teachers, December 2006/January 2007.
• NSDC profile -- Betsy Rogers: Speaking up for those at risk, Teachers Teaching Teachers, September 2006.
• NSDC profile--Ric Palma: Building confidence is part of the coach's job, Teachers Teaching Teachers, May 2006.
• NSDC profile: Linda Hostetler -- Math coach adds listening skills to her repertoire , Teachers Teaching Teachers, April 2006.
• NSDC profile: Lucilla Landin--Lessons of business apply to work with teachers, Teachers Teaching Teachers, March 2006.
• NSDC profile: Christy Christian: Reading coach greets her new class -- of adults , Teachers Teaching Teachers, February 2006.
• NSDC profile: Bill Jackson--Lesson study invigorates math coach--and his school, Teachers Teaching Teachers, December 2005.
• NSDC profile: Renee DeWald--Creating a legacy of relationships, Teachers Teaching Teachers, November 2005.
• NSDC profile: Joanie Esparza--Data tell the story of coaches' success, Teachers Teaching Teachers, October 2005.
• Math facilitator adds trust and multiplies effectiveness, Teachers Teaching Teachers, September 2005.

Tools for Schools

• Reel in your audience: Use film clips, stories, cartoons, and quotes to add impact to presentations, Tools for Schools, August/September 2008.

• Tune in to what the new generation of teachers can do, Tools for Schools, May/June 2008.
• The power of one: What one person can do to influence policy at all levels, Tools for Schools, February/March 2008.
• Work smarter, not harder: SMART goals keep objectives in focus, Tools for Schools, November/December 2007.
• Clarify your vision with an Innovation Configuration map, Tools for Schools, August/September 2007.

• Learning through a lens: Classroom videos of teachers and students prove to be a powerful professional learning tool, Tools for Schools, May/June 2007.
• Snapshots of learning: Classroom walk-throughs offer picture of learning in schools, Tools for Schools, August/September 2006.

• Transform your group into a team, Tools for Schools, November/December 2005.
• Focus groups zoom in on school district's concerns, Tools for Schools, August/September 2005.

• Cultivating your own expertise: Starkville demonstrates how a homegrown conference can build leadership, Tools for Schools, April/May 2005.
• Break the inservice habit, Tools for Schools, December 2004/January 2005.
• Taking measure, Tools for Schools, October/November 2004.

• Consensus, Tools for Schools, April/May 2004.
• Lesson study, Tools for Schools, February/March 2004.
• Build a bridge between workshop and classroom, Tools for Schools, October/November 2003.

• Read your way to success: How to choose and use articles for presentations, Tools for Schools, December 2002/January 2003.
• Listen carefully: Good communication skills build relationships that foster school improvement, Tools for Schools, October/November 2002.
• Think outside the clock: Create time for professional learning, Tools for Schools, August/September 2002.
• Take a closer look: Reflection gives educators a chance to tap into what they've learned, Tools for Schools, April/May 2002.

• Reach for the stars: Individual learning plans allow teachers to take charge of their own learning, Tools for Schools, February/March 2002
• Meeting expectations: Turn staff gatherings into learning opportunities, Tools for Schools, December 2001/January 2002.
• Seeing through new eyes: Walk throughs offer new way to view schools, Tools for Schools, October/November 2001.
• Learning teams: When teachers work together, knowledge and rapport grow, Tools for Schools, August/September 2001.

• Learning where you are is the first step in establishing your direction, Tools for Schools, April/May 2001.
• Group wise: Strategies for examining student work together, Tools for Schools, February/March 2001.
• Support system: School improvement plans work best when staff learning is included, Tools for Schools, December 2000/January 2001.
• The numbers game: Measure progress by analyzing data, Tools for Schools, October/November 2000.
• Smart moves: Achieving your vision depends on follow-through, Tools for Schools, August/September 2000.

• Schools embrace parental involvement, Tools for Schools, April/May 2000.
• Teacher research leads to learning, action, Tools for Schools, February/March 2000.
• Harness the potential of staff meetings, Tools for Schools, October/November 1999.
• Norms put the ‘Golden Rule’ into practice for groups, Tools for Schools, August/September 1999.

• Making workshops work for you: Here's how to ensure those new ideas get put into practice, Tools for Schools, April/May 1999.
• Engaging the public builds support for schools, Tools for Schools, February/March 1999.
• Common goals override individual interests,, Tools for Schools, December 1998/January 1999.
• Successful meetings, Tools for Schools, October/November 1998.
• Student learning grows in professional cultures, Tools for Schools, August/September 1998.

• Applause, applause, Tools for Schools, April/May 1998.
• Continuous improvement, Tools for Schools, February/March 1998.
• Student learning improves when families get involved, Tools for Schools, December 1997/January 1998.
• Consensus: Tap into a powerful decision-making tool, Tools for Schools, October/November 1997.
• If you can envision it, you can create it, Tools for Schools, August/September 1997.

Results

• 'Forced' march to reform yields impressive results, Results, May 2005.
• Ace in the hole, Results, April 2005.
• Up close and personal, Results, March 2005.
• Closing the language gap, Results, February 2005 (available in members-only area).
• Study groups lift Missouri district's teachers, principals and students, Results, December/January 2005.
• Leading the way, Results, November 2004.
• Helping hands, Results, October 2004.
• Coaches build strong teams, Results, September 2004.
• Pushing the capacity for growth, Results, May 2004.
• A district that illuminates success, Results, April 2004.
• Setting the pace of instruction, Results, March 2004.
• Doing whatever it takes to close the gap, Results, February 2004.
• Focus on literacy leads to change, Results, December 2003/January 2004.
• Portrait of success, Results, November 2003.
• The transformation at Taft School, Results, April 2003.
• The secrets of 'can-do' schools, Results, February 2003.
• NCLB extends its reach, Results, December 2002/January 2003.
• The science of learning choices, Results, October 2002.
• Leave no teacher behind, Results, September 2002.
• A hope in the future, Results, May 2002.
• Reshaping schools from the top down, Results, April 2002.
• Diverse, mobile students successful in DOD schools, Results, March 2002.
• No excuses for low learning, Results, February 2002.
• Countdown to literacy, Results, November 2001.
• It all adds up: Curriculum+teacher knowledge=high math achievement, Results, October 2001.
• E-learning potential: Online staff development has great possibilities--and pitfalls, Results, September 2001.
• Shared culture, Results, May 2001.
• Teachers leading teachers, Results, April 2001.
• Team learning: Teachers who learn together improve together, Results, March 2001.
• Student work at the core of teacher learning, Results, February 2001.
• Lesson study: Japanese method has benefits for all teachers, Results, December 2000/January 2001.
• Learning by doing: Teachers learn content by immersing themselves in subjects, Results, November 2000.
• Central office guidance strengthens the whole district, Results, October 2000.
• Focus principal development on student learning, Results, September 2000.
• Successful schools share winning strategies, Results, May 2000.
• Ingredients mix to create success in Boston school, Results, April 2000.
• Teamwork keeps teachers pulling in the same direction, Results, March 2000.
• World-class learning: Making the best even better, Results, November 1999.
• Improved student learning is target for winning programs, Results, October 1999.
• High poverty doesn't have to mean low performance, Results, September 1999.
• Layer support for teachers to improve student learning, Results, May 1999.
• Top-notch programs for middle schools, Results, April 1999.
• Principals are ‘head learners’ at successful schools, Results, February 1999.
• Investing in teacher learning key to growth in District 2, Results, December 1998/January 1999.
• Data provides answers for student learning, Results, October 1998.
• Information crucial in search for school reform design, Results, September 1998.
• Deep change produces results in middle school, Results, December 1997/January 1998.
• Data-driven improvement effort leads to results in Oak Park, Results, September 1997.