TL;DR:
- Instructional leaders play an important role in providing a system that supports teaching and learning so that students will continue to be challenged and grow.
- Successful principals who are instructional leaders understand the importance of establishing a clear vision and commitment to learning goals. Administrators must create time for instructional leadership.
- Below you will find 12 lessons for instructional leaders.
When instructional leadership becomes the priority for teachers, administrators, coaches, directors, and other staff, then student understanding will grow. “The job is not to hope that optimal learning will occur, based on our curriculum and initial teaching. The job is to ensure that learning occurs, and when it doesn’t, to intervene in altering the syllabus and instruction decisively, quickly, and often” (Wiggins & McTighe, 2007, p. 55).
Instructional leaders provide a system that supports teaching and learning.
In the absence of a system, students will fall through the cracks. Instructional leaders must strive to identify the main focus for each grade level or course. They should work collaboratively to ensure that each student is challenged and provided with scaffolding as needed. Hattie suggests that principals are engaged in instructional leadership when they “have their major focus on creating a learning climate free of disruption, a system of clear teaching objectives, and high teacher expectations for teachers and students” (2012, p. 83).
When the building principal is an instructional leader, teachers receive the support they need in order to prepare students for the next level. Click To Tweet
When the building principal is an instructional leader, teachers receive the support they need in order to prepare students for the next level. Successful principals understand that it is important to establish clear learning goals and garner a schoolwide—and even community-wide—commitment to these goals. The development of a clear vision and goals for learning is emphasized by principals of high-achieving schools (Leithwood & Riehl, 2003).
12 Lessons For Instructional Leaders
- Everything rises and falls on leadership.
- In the absence of a clear learning plan, student understanding will be left to chance.
- Teachers benefit from timely feedback and informal walkthroughs.
- It is impossible to accelerate or modify the curriculum until you have a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
- Formative assessment provides timely data that supports teachers and learners.
- Multiply leaders. Instructional leadership requires a team.
- Challenge the process. If you become satisfied, you may discover that school no longer meets the needs of students.
- Identify common student misunderstandings at each grade level. Develop a plan to support students when they stumble.
- Identify data points and SMART goals for reaching the desired data points.
- Curriculum and instruction should be personalized.
- Analyze the amount of student consumption vs. contribution in your school.
- Push pause and take time to reflect on the teaching and learning that is taking place in your school.
Instructional leaders strive to prioritize their daily agenda in order to focus on the main thing. We all entered education to support student understanding. However, some days we spend more time attending meetings, replying to emails, completing teacher observations, and planning the next fundraiser. For many principals, “there is a gap between the compass and the clock – between what’s deeply important to us and the way we spend our time” (Covey, Merrill & Merrill, 1994, p. 16). Administrators must create time for instructional leadership.
About Steven Weber
Dr. Steven Weber is the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Fayetteville Public Schools (AR). His areas of research include curriculum design, formative assessment, professional learning, and school leadership.
