Failure Is Not An Option Summary

The final principle, number six, is based on the idea of leadership. Throughout the book Failure is Not an Option, Blankstein reiterates time and time again the importance of encouraging all teachers to find a leadership role within the school. Whether this is in a small or large way it still allows teachers to feel a sense of ownership within the building and to feel a sense of accomplishment because they are the expert on a particular topic. Furthermore, by focusing on leadership, the values being taught and modeled for students goes beyond the standardized tests to foster a deep love of learning. This is due to the fact that teacher leaders are focused on something in which they are passionate and will be excited to share their knowledge
As Blankstein mentions, the principal alone cannot possibly do everything in a school. By including teacher leaders and more and more teachers into the processes of a school it takes off some of the responsibilities of the administrator to focus on those things that matter like instruction and the students. It also makes it so that everyone in a building feels that they are valued and responsible for each and every student within the building. This makes the daunting task of ensuring each student reaches his/her potential a little less intimidating because now everyone has an investment in each student rather than just one or two teachers. The final take away from this particular principle is that there must be a plan in place for succession. As stated on page 224 in Failure is Not an Option, “sustainable leadership outlives particular individuals. It does not disappear when the leaders leave.” If true leadership is to take place within a school then there has to be a plan in place when those leaders leave or when the administration changes. This allows for the work to continue that has already been seen to make gains or strides with student achievement. This also ensures that someone else takes on a role as a leader since there is a plan