Lateral Capacity – Building Through Networks

 

 

As Fullan mentions, lateral capacity is a powerful strategy for school improvement. We learn best from our peers when we are in an environment where there is an ongoing, purposeful exchange between teachers.  So lateral capacity building is working together with peers and professionals to learn from them and share resources, ideas, and knowledge. Developing relationships between educators and having many minds working together is the most effective way to promote educational change.

 

  As an educational leader, it is important to seek out ways that allow people to interact in capacity building situations in ways that support learning opportunities. It only makes sense to share our vast knowledge about educating students based on our diverse experiences as educators to avoid re-inventing the wheel in education to further improve learning.  This collaborative approach will foster motivation and create ownership among educational leaders that promotes action.