Curious Conversations with Special Guest Leslie Patterson - Season 2/Episode 11

In this episode, we’re continuing our pattern of inquiry with active members of the HSD community. Our special guest is Leslie Patterson, PhD HSDP. Leslie Patterson taught English and language arts Texas middle and high schools for ten years before becoming a teacher educator, where she taught in Texas universities until she retired in 2005. As a Co-Director of the North Star of Texas Writing Project, Patterson integrates her support of K-12 literacy leaders with her interest in complex systems and literacy learning communities. She has consulted with teachers and school districts in Texas, California, Alaska, and Brazil. Her publications include numerous articles and books on language and literacy instruction, with a particular focus on writing instruction for adolescents and English learners, as well as human systems dynamics (HSD). In recent years, she has co-authored two books with Royce Holladay and Glenda Eoyang: “Radical Rules for Schools: Adaptive Action for Complex Change” and “Deep Learning Ecologies: An Invitation to Complex Teaching and Learning.” Her deep commitment and joy are to support educators as they work to make sense of complex challenges. Patterson’s other publications include numerous articles and books on literacy instruction, particularly writing instruction for adolescents and English learners, as well as literacy policy and practice and human systems dynamics (HSD). Her deep commitment and joy is to support educators as they work to make sense of complex challenges. Patterson’s recent publications, including “Radical Rules for Schools” and “Deep Learning Ecology,” combine her interests in writing instruction, support for multilingual students, professional learning, and school reform—all from a perspective that views teaching and learning as networks of complex adaptive systems. She is now a Co-Director of the North Star of Texas Writing Project, affiliated with the National Writing Project site, and an Associate with Human Systems Dynamics Institute. Patterson’s recent publications, including “Radical Rules for Schools: Adaptive Action for Complex Change,” combine these interests in writing instruction, professional development, and school reform as a complex adaptive system.