Eduleadership
Justin Baeder on principal performance & productivity
Varied and Complex
Sep 28th
The student is the focal point of our work as teachers. We believe the lives of students should be shaped in dramatically better ways because of the power and wisdom revealed through high-quality curriculum. In a less complex—less human—world, teaching might simply be telling young people what’s important to know. In such a setting, students would say, “I see. Thanks.” And the world would go forward.
But human beings are varied and complex. The varieties and complexities demand every bit as much study from the teacher as does curriculum content. …the best teachers are mindful that teaching is judged by successful learning and that learners will inevitably and appropriately influence the effectiveness of the art we practice.
–Tomlinson & McTighe, Integrating Differentiated Instruction + Understanding By Design, p. 12-13
Principal Leadership: A Theory of Action
Sep 19th
How does my work as a principal make a difference? More to the point, how can I distinguish between actions and practices that make a meaningful difference, and those that don’t?
Greater equity in society
comes from
A better educated public
which comes from
A more effective educational system
which comes from
More effective schools
which come from
Consistently high-quality instruction
which comes from
High expectations and mutual accountability
which comes from
Professional development and principal expectations
which are my core responsibility.
Each step in this chain is of course much more complex, and there are always multiple sources of influence, but this is a helpful way for me to refocus my efforts on actions that will make a difference.
