(Originally posted on Eduleadership.) By Justin Baeder What does it mean to be an instructional leader? Too many definitions contrast instructional leadership with “mere” management, as if the management work that administrators do isn’t related to teaching and learning. I believe that it’s all connected, and that an effective instructional leader is also an effective […]
5 Ways to Make a Change Happen Faster –
(Originally posted on Eduleadership.) By Justin Baeder When change happens too fast, it overwhelms people and diminishes their confidence that they’ll be successful. Skills take time to develop, and no one wants to be judged too quickly on a skill they are still developing. But some people think they should have three or four years to […]
Personal Regard: Why Being Gruff Isn’t W
(Originally posted on Eduleadership.) By Justin Baeder The principalship is tough work, so it’s no surprise that it both attracts tough-minded people and makes people tougher over time. It makes sense to be increasingly realistic and pragmatic as you gain experience, but too often we forget a key element of effective leadership: personal regard. Our […]
How To Hire Amazing People (Even In Toug...
(Originally posted on Eduleadership.) By Justin Baeder I have friends who work in high-needs schools that are overwhelmingly staffed with first-year and second-year teachers. While a school might occasionally find itself in this position, I’m convinced that it must not become a recurring situation. Justice demands that we staff all of our schools with a […]
Why Behavior Trumps Attitude – Justin Ba
(Originally posted on EduLeadership.org) By Justin Baeder We’ve always known the importance of “getting the right people on the bus,” to borrow a phrase from Jim Collins. As leaders, we each have in mind a picture of the “right” kind of person for our school—the right attitude, the right work ethic, the right interest in […]