Testimonials
From the "Synthesis Report: Cross-Case Findings from the Project Evaluation"
Prepared by the UMASS Donahue Institute- Research and Evaluation Group. October 2008 referring to the Leadership work of Leadership Matters LLC. and Frank DeStefano, Chief Project Manager, in the Boston Public School System:
"Mr.DeStefano reportedly earned the admiration of project and school staffs from the moment that he began working. Nearly unanimously, he is praised for his deep expertise and ability to analyze schools and classrooms with speed and acuity...He has conducted individual meetings with headmasters, often providing direct feedback and guidance that leaders report rarely receiving." (p.12)
"Having been a principal and district-level administrator, he can sit down with me and with the door closed and say "This is what I'm hearing from your teachers. This is what's going on in your building. Did you know this?"...The headmaster found this to be very useful and unique feedback, and credited the coach with his ability to gain the trust and respect of teachers to such an extent that they would share information with him." (p.13)
"Mr. DeStefano had the teachers use their perceptions of student ability to group students as high, middle or low and then had them compare those assumptions with data. Initially they found their assumptions were fairly accurate. Later, however, they were able to see how certain interventions resulted in gains for some students." (p. 13)
"More broadly, the coach also took a whole-school or systems approach, initiating efforts that extended beyond the classrooms of teachers who were receiving instructional coaching." (p.14)
"Headmasters unanimously credited the coach with being very "honest", "real" and "objective" and described the respect that their teachers, and even students, demonstrated for the coach. Mr. DeStefano was described as a "real tangible support" and all four schools expressed a need for increased access to his services." (p.14)
"The need for a "critical friend"...could not have been greater. Teachers and administrators describe the value of their professional, collegial relationship with the leadership coach in superlative terms. (p.15)
More Comments From Principals:
"After one year of working closely with the Leadership Matters team my student's English scores increased 12%, an increase that I contribute completely to the work we did." Middle School, 2010
"The Leadership Matters coach worked with the entire instructional leadership team to help us focus our energies. Now for the first time, 100% of fifth grade students are on level in Math." Charter Elementary School. 2011
"Frank DeStefano understood immediately what my struggles were all about. He patiently but directly taught me strategies that made me a more effective leader." HS Principal 2011