Comprehensive Faculty Development: A Guide to Attract, Retain, Develop, Reward, and Inspire

How do school administrators ensure that a great faculty teaches with excellence and ultimately increases student performance, satisfaction, and enthusiasm? By supporting teachers, your school supports students and helps ensure your institution’s long-term growth and success. So this book is not about teachers—it is really about students. By implementing the proper processes and procedures for comprehensive faculty development, your school provides the tools teachers need to best serve their students and find satisfaction in their careers.

"Anyone who works with faculty should keep this invaluable book close at hand. After reading Comprehensive Faculty Development, you will want to jump into creating or refining your school’s framework for growth. Refreshing and eminently doable!" – Sarah Cooper, Dean of Studies, Flintridge Preparatory School (CA)

"I wish I had more years left in my career to guide others with CFD and help them see the results. This road map to continuous improvements is truly a gift to the profession." – Daniel McDonough, Headmaster, Portsmouth Abbey School (RI)

"This is the book I’ve been waiting for. It pulls together and clearly articulates all of the aspects of bringing new faculty into the community and ensuring their ongoing success. This student-centered framework is supported by ISM’s trademark, rigorous research and communicated in a practical, accessible manner." – Sheri Homany, Associate Head of School, Hathaway Brown School (OH)

"Comprehensive Faculty Development provides practical guidance and model policies for independent school leaders to implement tomorrow in their school communities. Thank you for outlining how to develop mission-driven faculty development procedures from the hiring to termination process while providing realistic scenarios that all administrators face." – Adrienne Fourgette, High School Principal, Nardin Academy (NY)

"Our primary role as school leaders is to facilitate an environment where students are academically challenged and engaged by inspiring teachers. Comprehensive Faculty Development outlines in detail a plan that enables leaders to put all the elements in place to achieve that primary aim. The book is a must read for any school leader and should be required reading for all who have the enviable task of leading a group of faculty members." – Nathan Washer, Assistant Head of School, The Pine School (FL)

"Comprehensive Faculty Development provides a well-developed and thoughtful approach to faculty development. By separating the growth and evaluation components found in traditional faculty development programs, teachers feel free to learn and grow, and are more willing to take risks in the classroom. Student experiences are enriched and teacher morale improves when teachers feel supported to try new approaches." – Jo Stoltz, Academic Dean, Episcopal Collegiate School (AR)

"This book offers a well-informed look at how traditional, top-down evaluation actually thwarts teacher growth. Independently operated public charter schools are ideally positioned to build a different school culture—one that values teachers as professionals who are intrinsically motivated to direct their own growth while forming trusting relationships with colleagues who are empowered to support them. CFD’s growth and renewal paradigm keeps teachers inspired, and it also addresses that “hard-to-crack nut” of relatively flat organizational structures in schools where teacher leadership opportunities are scarce. Charter school communities will find this approach congruent with their missions, which often include site-based management, shared decision-making, and authentic 'ownership' of the education process—a 'win-win' with teacher and, ultimately, student performance being maximized." – Gregory Meece, School Director, Newark Charter School (DE)