The Taking Action Guide to Building Coherence in Schools, Districts, and Systems

Michael Fullan served as Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His ‘interim autobiography’, Surreal Change, covers his work to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in several countries. This work operates under the umbrella of what they call the ‘shared humanity paradigm’ —Equity, Engagement, Excellence--Deep change that integrates local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and state (policy) entities.

Fullan’s favorite method of learning is to partner with groups that are engaged with change; and to learn together with them. (And then to write another book about the experiences, and what was learned).

Michael Fullan’s latest books are: Nuance (2019), Spirit Work and the Science of Collaboration (with Mark Edwards, 2022), The Principal 2.0 (2023), and The Drivers (with Joanne Quinn, 2023).

For more information on books, articles, videos, podcasts please go to: www.michaelfullan.ca

Eleanor Adam consults internationally in the areas of leadership, change and learning and is a Senior Consultant for the Michael Fullan Enterprises Capacity Building team. She has worked with educators in a variety countries and states to improve and deepen learning for all students through excellence in classroom instruction and principal and district leadership. Her recent work has focussed on whole system change through the development of coherence at the state and district levels.

She has served as a teacher and principal in both elementary and high schools as well as an acting Superintendent and Supervisor of Special Education for a school district. At the provincial level, Eleanor facilitated the implementation of education policy in 5,000 schools. In her role as the Program Manager for Continuing Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, she worked collaboratively to enhance additional qualifications courses that were both engaging and meaningful for all educators in the province. Developing and leading meaningful professional learning is a passion that Eleanor has pursued throughout her career. She facilitates relevant learning that is grounded in her experiences but incorporates new research and encourages critical thinking and collaboration.