About the Work
Rich Sinclair is an educator, school leader, and doctoral researcher focused on the organizational conditions that help schools sustain improvement over time. In 2009, after leading the collaborative turnaround of three schools, he became increasingly interested in a question that followed him across schools and systems: Why did improvement efforts so often depend on changing leaders, programs, initiatives, and mandates rather than a coherent framework for continuous improvement? That question ultimately led to the development of Leading Schools Forward in 2016. Since then, Rich has worked across classrooms, schools, and systems, continuing to refine and research a framework for sustainable school improvement.
Partners & Influences
Gayle Watson is a co-founder of People Ink and a respected organizational culture leader. Her guidance and support during the early development of Leading Schools Forward helped shape its emphasis on shared purpose, values, trust, and organizational health.
Ann Rhoades is founder of People Ink and a nationally recognized culture strategist. Her pioneering work on values-based organizations and organizational culture significantly influenced the development of the culture and organizational principles reflected throughout Leading Schools Forward.
Dr. Charles R. Coble is an internationally recognized authority on teacher preparation, educator development, and educational leadership. Through years of conversation, encouragement, and thoughtful challenge, he has helped shape the leadership and preparation implications reflected throughout Leading Schools Forward.
Christopher T. Cross is a nationally recognized education policy leader whose work has influenced American education for more than five decades. After learning about Rich's early implementation work, Chris became a strong advocate for its distributive leadership and capacity-building approach and supported efforts to expand the work into larger educational systems.
Pam Andrews was Rich's elementary teacher and the earliest influence on his path into education. Her commitment to students and belief in the transformative power of teaching continue to shape the values and purpose of Leading Schools Forward.