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Closing the Teaching Gap
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Closing the Teaching Gap
Coaching for Instructional Leaders

Foreword by Grant Wiggins



February 2012 | 280 pages | Corwin

Instructional leadership begins in the classroom

Donald B. Bartalo reveals the experiences of school leaders and teachers who have discovered that meaningful school improvement does not necessarily come from the top—it comes from effective teaching and leaders who support it. Based on eight fundamental tenets, the text features a clear how-to process, success stories, and methods for bridging the teaching gap between the kinds of teaching needed for the 21st century and that which is found in most schools. Special features include:

  • An interactive writing style that "coaches" educators
  • Powerful "what to do" and "how to do it" tools
  • Case illustrations and success stories
  • Protocols for leading collaborative inquiry
  • Journal reflections
  • Leadership team activities

This practical guide's step-by-step approach is easy to follow, research-based, and steeped in common sense. Closing the Teaching Gap is the next best thing to having a seasoned coach give you the playbook for becoming a successful instructional leader.


 
Acknowledgments
 
Preface
 
Introduction
Eight Fundamental Tenets for an Instructional Leader

 
Connecting Your Work and Experience

 
About the Book

 
Learning Extensions

 
About the Author

 
Bridge to Chapter 1

 
 
1. The "Teaching Gap"
What is the Teaching Gap?

 
Lessons from the Teaching Gap

 
Reinforcing the Need to Close the Teaching Gap

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 2

 
 
2. Doing the Right Things
Data Informed, Not Data Driven

 
Developing Credibility

 
Finding Strengths in Others

 
Getting Into Classrooms

 
Knowledge, Not Packaged Programs

 
Learning from Master Teachers

 
Learning from Students

 
Not Enough Time?

 
Try It in the Classroom

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 3

 
 
3. Creating Better Learning Opportunities for Students
Teaching Methods and Learning Opportunities

 
How Do Students Learn Best?

 
Methods vs. Beliefs

 
The Culture of Teaching

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 4

 
 
4. Helping Teachers Learn More About Teaching
Introduction

 
What is Good Teaching?

 
Selecting the Best Teaching Methods

 
Mirror on Their Practice

 
Peer Review of Teaching

 
Peer Observations

 
Teacher-Led Teaching Circles

 
Teacher-Led Lesson Study

 
Teacher-Led Learning and Improvement

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 5

 
 
5. Successfully Leading Instructional Change
Introduction

 
Aligning Practice and Beliefs

 
Changing Methods Where Students are Not Succeeding

 
Developing a “Theory of Action” Perspective

 
Leading Change Perceived to be Second Order

 
Overcoming Resistance to Desired Instructional Change

 
Strengthening Instruction

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 6

 
 
6. Developing Yourself as an Instructional Leader
The Story of an Instructional Leader

 
Introduction

 
Who Am I?

 
Connect, Not Just Communicate

 
Persuading and Inspiring

 
Giving and Receiving Feedback

 
Reacting to Assessments and Standards-Based Accountability

 
Leading in a Time of Transition

 
The Need for Courage

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 7

 
 
7. Shared Instructional Leadership
Introduction

 
Strengthening Shared Instructional Leadership

 
Grade and Department Level

 
Collaboration

 
Working Relationships

 
Shared Instructional Leadership in Action

 
Aligned Instructional Leadership Team for School Improvement

 
Journal Reflection

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Bridge to Chapter 8

 
 
8. Closing the Teaching Gap
Learning from Success Stories

 
When is Good Instructional Leadership Going On?

 
Leverage Your Strengths

 
Closing the Teaching Gap

 
Try THIS

 
Leadership Team Activity

 
Final Reflection

 
 
Answers to In-Your-Head Quizzes
 
References
 
Recommended Books and Publications
 
Index

"Donald Bartalo has a real gift for helping teachers recognize and improve their instructional potency. Drawing on his considerable experience and research as a teacher, administrator and coach, he creates a practical and sustainable method that will help educators become self reflective, focused practitioners."

Gregory Baker, Principal
Geneva High School, NY

”Don Bartalo understands the essence of second order change. He is focused on how to enable school leaders to work within a new pedagogical paradigm. This is a 'how to' book for any school leader wanting to move a school beyond incremental improvement.”

Stephen Uebbing, Associate Professor
University of Rochester, Warner School of Education, NY
Key features

The book contains extensive pedagogical devices to help readers:

  • Springboards
  • Voices of Experience
  • Case Illustrations
  • In-Your-Head Quizzes
  • Research Moments
  • Journal Reflections

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1: The "Teaching Gap"


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