UNPACKING LEADERSHIP

Remember, this course is designed to get you started in becoming the instructional leader of the building.  This course is going to walk you through how to do it, give you the tools to help you do it, and it will all be at virtually no-cost.  To get going, you need to do three things:

  1. Define the Areas of Instructional Focus
  2. Define Key Actions of the Building Leader
  3. Employ the Key Actions of the Building Leader Across the Areas of Instructional Focus

#1: Define the  Areas of Instructional Focus

Based upon the research we have studied, we know four areas continue to rise to the top and should be the focus of the building work. As an instructional leader, knowing these areas allows you to direct resources and energy into the tasks required to develop them appropriately. The focus areas are:

Collaborative Culture and Climate

How can we work in an environment that promotes collaboration to improve performance for all students?

Effective Teaching/Learning Practices

What are the teaching/learning practices that are known to be highly effective and have a high impact on student learning?

Assessment

How is student learning being monitored?

Data-Based Decision-Making

How are our students performing?  What are the current gaps in student learning?

#2: Define Key Actions of the Building Leader

Now we know the areas of instructional focus, so now we need to work on the second step which is to identify key actions to be of the building leader across those areas of instructional focus? Those key actions include:

Establish Collaborative Culture and Climate

Set Time for Implementation

Establish Expectations

Ensure Resources

Monitor for Implementation and Collaboration

Let’s examine each key action a bit closer.