You Don't Have to Be Bad to Get Better

Acknowledgments About the Author Foreword Preface A Laser Like Focus Organization and Structure Practical and Useful Features Audience 1. Removing the Rose Colored Glasses The Rose Colored Glasses Phenomenon Red Flag Warnings Demonstrating Moral Courage Leading Change: Necessary Dispositions Perceptions about the Role of a School Leader Confidence in Self as an Instructional Leader A Growth Mindset Moral Courage Key Points about Removing the Rose Colored Glasses Putting Words into Action Reflecting on Your Current State Action Tools 2. No More Lake Wobegon: Creating a Culture of Learning The Effects of Well-Intended Fiction: "A Culture of Nice" The Changing Landscape The Leader's Role: Essential Beliefs and Understandings Changing Beliefs: Practice Comes First! Drinking the Water Understanding About Learning A Presumption of Continuous Growth for All Setting the Stage: Defining Who We Are Capturing the School's History Developing Core Beliefs and Commitments Developing Trust and Rapport Step Aside and Lead: Creating Opportunities for Learning Key Points about Creating a Culture of Learning Putting Words into Action Reflecting on Your Current State Action Tools 3. The Wisdom of Instructional Leadership: What Leaders Need to Know and Do Knowledge of Staff Understandings about Teaching and Learning What Is Good Teaching? How Good is Good Enough? How Does Learning Occur? What is Engagement in Learning? Skills of the Instructional Leader Collecting Evidence to Assess Teaching Engaging in Professional Conversations Skillful Questioning Productive Listening Providing Feedback Facilitating Professional Goal Setting Key Points about What Leaders Need to Know Putting Words into Action Reflecting on Your Current State Action Tools 4. The Wisdom of Instructional Practice: What Teachers Need to Know Playing a Guessing Game Guessing Games Replaced by Transparency Understandings about Teaching and Learning Putting Your Know-How into Action: A Cycle of Continuous Improvement and Growth Don't Forget to Feed the Teachers! A Plan for Teacher Learning Key Points About What Teachers Need to Know Putting Words into Action Reflecting on Your Current State Action Tool 5. Promoting Teacher Learning: It's All Talk! Powerful Conversations Setting the Stage Acknowledging the Leader's Dual Role Making Intentions Clear Factors that Impact Conversations Rapport and Relationship with the Teacher The Developmental Level of the Teacher The School Culture The Data Collected about Teaching and Learning The Teacher's Mindset The Skills of the Leader Facilitating the Conversation Leading Conversations: When, What and How When to Talk What to Talk About How to Talk Key Points about Promoting Teacher Learning Putting Words into Action Reflect on Your Current State Action Tool 6. Principals Can't Lead Alone: The Role of the District Office Improving Instruction: Does the Central Office Matter? A Case in Point Increased Accountability for Leaders Creating a Culture for Professional Learning: A Case Study A Powerful First Impression A History of Principal Autonomy Getting the Right Members on the Team Learning for All Adults in the System Aligning School and District Goals and Priorities Teacher Evaluation a Tool for Teacher Learning Professional Development as the Fuel for the System Expanding Professional Learning Across the District Finding Time for Professional Learning Securing the Future of Leaders and the Professional Staff Key Points about the Role of the District Office Putting Words in Action Action Tool Reflect and Assess References Index