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So much has been written on the topic of instructional leadership, but too little is known about how to implement it. DeWitt once again finds a balance between research and practice by focusing on implementation, developing program logics, and evidence of impact. He is offering a road map to help leaders put their focus on learning and build credibility with staff while doing it.
Peter's newest book answers key questions for any school administrator interested in the what, why, and how of instructional leadership. With its focus on defining a common language and common understanding, the inclusion of a logic model, research, and clear examples from practice this book is a must-read for any leader engaged in the implementation of practices to positively impact student learning!
Peter DeWitt’s Instructional Leadership book is a perfect balance between theory and practice. As a principal, these two elements are essential for the implementation of the instructional leadership model, which includes implementation, focus for learning, student engagement, instructional strategies, collective efficacy, and understanding impact through evidence. Instructional Leadership also offers a framework to use with building and district leadership teams.
Peter Dewitt’s approach to instructional leadership takes what sometimes feels as a hugely overwhelming and sometimes unsustainable task into a bite-size framework. Each chapter’s content and mindful moments provide practical guidance and encourages purposeful reflection. This book is a must read for principals who are seeking best practices for effective instructional leadership in an ever-evolving and busy role.
I have never read an educative book that was so compelling. What makes this book so powerful is that it tackles every challenge from various angels, as the perspective of the teacher and the student are taken into account as well. Not only would I advise every principal to read this book, but also every other member of the team as it gives the reader a profound understanding of what instructional leadership entails, what it should look like, and how it can effectively be implemented.
Peter DeWitt provides tremendous context and understanding of what principals face today each day in meeting the demands of educating all students. He provides an excellent framework and practical applications to move leadership from managerial to authentic instructional leadership.
In his latest book, Peter provides practical ideas for how to implement instructional leadership strategies in a school, for principals with all levels of experience. It is a go-to resource that everyone should have on hand. Instructional Leadership is full of concrete ideas to start implementing instructional leadership the way it should be, with the ultimate goal of improving teaching strategies and having an impact on student learning.
From his personal experience and urgency, Peter wrote this wonderful book about Instructional Leadership, as a practical ‘how to achieve the necessary impact’, with very helpful Program Logic Models. I especially loved the Mindful Moments and the Student Voice Questions, because this is how I came to know Peter: a person with a very large focus on the impact on students learning. To wrap it all up this books gives you a Reflection Framework to keep you going.
Peter DeWitt sets out to connect research and practice—and he has succeeded! The two are interwoven superbly, resulting in a book that is both practical and wise. The chapters dig deeper into the meaning and practices of instructional leadership in ways that are relevant to an international readership.
This book is well-timed in a world where school leaders are expected to be instructional leaders but also building managers. Peter understands that being an instructional leader is complicated, and this book has both challenged and reinforced my thinking around my leadership practices. His experience as a principal allows him to identify the many challenges and the important impact of instructional leadership on student achievement.
Peter DeWitt’s conversational writing style will engage all leaders. He is knowledgeable and confident in writing about leadership, as he has been there, done the work successfully, and now writes about ‘living in’ the instructional leadership role. DeWitt challenges us to be reflective about the strategies that we collaboratively discern make a difference to attain all students’ growth and achievement. His thinking is clear about what leaders must do to move all students forward.
Instructional Leadership provides actionable research-based methods to help teams move the needle as instructional leaders in a concrete way. It feels as though Peter is coaching you through the process as you learn to utilize the tools provided to make your schools successful. A perfect choice for principals, assistant superintendents, and superintendents!
DeWitt’s Instructional Leadership: Creating Practice out of Theory provides practical solutions to the challenges of being an instructional leader within an educational system not designed to meet the needs of all students. It provides a clear and concise program logic model that I will be using to broaden the impact of our initiatives. This book inspires us and gives us tools to engage teachers and students to co-create inclusive and supportive learning environments that will support our efforts to achieve equity in our schools.
Blending personal experience, research, and observations acquired through coaching others, DeWitt offers important insights and practical guidance to school leaders aspiring to improve their students’ life chances.
DeWitt brings the heart of a true leader to every sentence in this book. He illuminates important leadership concepts about instruction, social-emotional learning, and collective efficacy with a humanity that allows us to see the potential we hold. DeWitt matches the courage to lead with the tools to do so and, in the process, lets readers see how coherence and clarity drive the growth of students and adults.
Instructional leadership is something that we strive to foster in ourselves as well as those around us because we know, as leaders, it is the type of leadership that leads to the most significant impact on student success. This is not an easy task, as many of us do not fully understand what it means to be an instructional leader or how to successfully grow in that area.
Peter DeWitt has been a learner from day one since he first became a teacher, and especially shortly thereafter when he became a principal. In 2006 he enjoyed being a leader in a small rural community. Then he had a growing and compelling realization that something was wrong, and became what I would call a ‘positive rebel,’ devoting himself to making a difference. Now we have a short, focused book on what he has been learning over the past decade. ‘Instructional leadership’ is a crystal-clear treatise on ‘mindful moments’ organized around six principles.
Peter DeWitt draws on research and personal experience as he skillfully unpacks the complexities involved in the practice of instructional leadership. School leaders will find the ideas in this book relatable, practical, and significant in relation to improving student outcomes. If you aspire to lead school improvement by strengthening the quality of classroom instruction and reaching deep levels of implementation, this book will provide the guidance you seek.
Peter tackles the topic of instructional leadership head-on as a researcher, consultant, coach and former school administrator. As is his style, Peter shares his findings as if the reader were having a personal conversation with him about the hard work of being an instructional leader and at the same time managing the day-to-day operation of the building. This work provides administrators with a road map in understanding this complex topic but, more importantly, identifies six areas of implementation. Peter provides a complete workshop wrapped up within the pages of this book.
This book will help leaders to overcome the challenge of operationalising instructional leadership. The six areas identified by Peter provide a clear and practical route map for developing the practice of instructional leadership. The mindful moments are timely and effective punctuations that help you to stop and think, process and apply the learning. Likewise, the student voice questions ensure that we calibrate what we think with what our students say, do and experience.
