Conversations between administrators and teachers take place every day, for many reasons, but what can we do to elevate them so that they lead to better professional relationships, more effective school leaders and teachers, and improved learning for students? C.R.A.F.T. Conversations for Teacher Growth offers the answer, demonstrating how exchanges that are clear, realistic, appropriate, flexible, and timely can be transformational. The authors explain how C.R.A.F.T. conversations support leaders' efforts in four ""cornerstone"" areas: Building Capacity, Invoking Change, Promoting Collaboration, and Prioritizing Celebration. With this foundation in place, they offer explicit guidance for developing the skills necessary to move through all components of a C.R.A.F.T. conversation: planning, opening, engaging, closing, reflecting, and following up. Extended vignettes featuring administrators and teachers bring each component to life, illustrating how focused efforts on improving how we communicate and build relationships can help schools achieve their goals and become places where adults-and students-thrive.

In the updated third edition of this highly successful book, leadership expert, Sally Zepeda offers savvy advice to both new and seasoned principals and assistant principals. You get practical tools and strategies, along with real-world examples to help you improve teacher effectiveness and boost student achievement. This edition features valuable resources for teacher evaluation and professional development programs, including: Tools and procedures for conducting classroom observations and pre- and post-observation conferences How-to steps for assessing the culture and climate of your school Strategies to address marginal teaching Techniques to support adult learning and professional development Related News & Media Dr. Doug Green featured a book summary of The Principal as Instructional Leader: A Practical Handbook (3rd Edition) on his website.The Principal as Instructional Leader: A Practical Handbook (3rd Edition) by Sally J. Zepeda was reviewed in The 21st Century Principal.

* The authors have extensive and sustained experience as school and district leaders--one is a state Superintendent of the Year (Georgia) and a National Superintendent of the Year (American Association of School Administrators), another is a superintendent profiled on Good Morning America and 60 Minutes, and another is the Chief Innovation Officer with Cognia (formerly Advanced-Ed), the world's largest accreditation agency focusing on continuous improvement in PreK-12 schools in the US and globally. * Special Features Include: "Examining School Culture" which situate the content of the chapter to a dilemma of practice ; "Leading Culture" which recap major take-aways ; "Leading Practices" which engage readers with strategies that can be adapted to their own contexts * This book creates opportunities for teachers and leaders to collectively examine and mutually build positive school culture

* The authors have extensive and sustained experience as school and district leaders--one is a state Superintendent of the Year (Georgia) and a National Superintendent of the Year (American Association of School Administrators), another is a superintendent profiled on Good Morning America and 60 Minutes, and another is the Chief Innovation Officer with Cognia (formerly Advanced-Ed), the world's largest accreditation agency focusing on continuous improvement in PreK-12 schools in the US and globally. * Special Features Include: "Examining School Culture" which situate the content of the chapter to a dilemma of practice ; "Leading Culture" which recap major take-aways ; "Leading Practices" which engage readers with strategies that can be adapted to their own contexts * This book creates opportunities for teachers and leaders to collectively examine and mutually build positive school culture

Central office resources are one of the largest assets in making meaningful change in schools, and this important book guides aspiring district leaders to take up the challenge to transform their schools, while at the same time balancing their core responsibilities. This book helps readers rethink the impact of central office on system and school initiatives, understand and apply transformational thinking, and change strategies at the central office to develop new instructional designs, create new opportunities to prioritize human and fiscal resources, and establish new leadership approaches founded on systems review and change. Full of exemplars from the field, questions for discussion, and suggested readings, this valuable textbook is for use in educational leadership preparation programs.

Recognizing that education systems have been temporarily paralyzed in the past and likely will in the future-whether it's because of a natural disaster or a pandemic-this important volume offers critical insights about how schools can effectively carry forward the mission of educating all children even in the face of system turbulence and disruption. Featuring Narratives from expert leaders in urban, rural, and suburban school systems, this book explores important questions about the "new normal" such as the ways in which students can and should learn, how educators can teach and lead effectively, and how schools can carry out important functions beyond their instructional mission. Chapters present inspiring stories of leaders and teachers who have rallied, rebuilt, and problem-solved in face of the pandemic and amid adversity, ultimately providing a roadmap for how it's possible to rebuild and adjust while preserving the fundamental core of education. Full of takeaways and first-hand insights into how systems and their schools faced turbulence, disruption, and adaptation, this book is a must-read for today's educators committed to making a positive impact on the students they have the duty to serve.

Recognizing that education systems have been temporarily paralyzed in the past and likely will in the future-whether it's because of a natural disaster or a pandemic-this important volume offers critical insights about how schools can effectively carry forward the mission of educating all children even in the face of system turbulence and disruption. Featuring Narratives from expert leaders in urban, rural, and suburban school systems, this book explores important questions about the "new normal" such as the ways in which students can and should learn, how educators can teach and lead effectively, and how schools can carry out important functions beyond their instructional mission. Chapters present inspiring stories of leaders and teachers who have rallied, rebuilt, and problem-solved in face of the pandemic and amid adversity, ultimately providing a roadmap for how it's possible to rebuild and adjust while preserving the fundamental core of education. Full of takeaways and first-hand insights into how systems and their schools faced turbulence, disruption, and adaptation, this book is a must-read for today's educators committed to making a positive impact on the students they have the duty to serve.

This book focuses on the changing role of the superintendent who now must lead with new skills in a time when the landscape of communities is shifting necessitating the mobilization of people through advocacy and activism alongside new partnerships with businesses, local governmental agencies, and community organizations. To lead districts, superintendents must ask new questions about current school structures while navigating changes in local, state, and federal education policies to ensure practices are aligned to meet the needs of all children. Key questions throughout the book help leaders create coherence in a system of change while leading the learning for members in the district and developing effective governance structures to empower leaders in making strategic decisions. Superintendents must focus efforts on leading systems to think through the world of information and digital access, so students can learn for tomorrow and to leverage social media to brand and support system-wide transformations. The frenetic work, role, and responsibilities of the superintendent requires personal and professional balance to be effective in leading districts and communities.

Making Learning Job-Embedded: Cases from the Field of Instructional Leadership is a book for sitting principals, aspiring principals, and teacher leaders. This edited volume includes studies that describe and detail findings from dissertation research conducted by scholar-practitioners in preK-12 schools. These studies examined job-embedded professional learning-how teachers learned from their work, how they grew in their understandings of their work with students, and how they could learn from their interactions with others. Each chapter examines very specific aspects of professional learning that school leaders need to have understanding about to be able to create systems that support teachers in the work they do to teach students, interact with colleagues, participate in team meetings, and other aspects that constitute the work of being a teacher. Conclusions and recommendations are offered for school leaders to support an environment and culture that embraces job-embedded learning as an integral part of the school's foundation for building capacity. The messages across the chapters point to the primacy of teacher engagement and the value of job-embedded learning.

In the third edition of this bestselling book, instructional leadership expert Sally Zepeda shares eleven more field-tested, informal classroom observation tools designed specifically for school personnel working with teachers to assist them in developing their instructional strategies.

The book includes the most comprehensive set of tools available today for classroom walkthroughs, professional development, and effective feedback. It is an invaluable resource for instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, department chairs, and school leaders.

The revised third edition includes:

• 51 tools usable in print, on laptop computers, or on electronic tablets
• Strategies for conducting post-observation conferences
• Indexes to browse and choose the tools that best fit your individual needs

The Job-Embedded Nature of Coaching: Lessons for School Leaders is a book for sitting principals, aspiring principals, and teacher leaders. This edited volume includes studies that describe and detail findings from dissertation research conducted by scholar-practitioners in preK-12 schools. This book makes unique contributions to the field of practice and understanding of coaching (instructional and peer coaching) as forms of job-embedded learning, most especially for teachers in the beginning years in the profession. Each chapter examines very specific aspects of coaching that school leaders need to have understanding about to be able to create systems that support teachers in the work they do to teach students, interact with colleagues, etc. Conclusions and recommendations are offered for school leaders to support an environment and culture that embraces coaching and job-embedded learning as an integral part of the school's foundation for building capacity. The messages across the chapters point to the primacy of coaching to promote teacher engagement and its value as job-embedded learning.

You became a school leader after succeeding in your particular content area and/or grade level. Now youre responsible for the entire school. You are accountable for everything that goes on, including results from those who teach outside your areas of original expertise.

Supervision Across the Content Areas provides tools and strategies to help you effectively supervise all of your teachers, including those in contents areas or grade levels in which you may not have had personal classroom experience. While focusing on four key content areas Mathematics, Science, English/Language Arts, and Social Studies this book also provides supervision tools for other content areas (foreign languages, fine arts, physical education, etc.)

Also included are tools and strategies to help you
- supervise teachers who use instructional strategies such as differentiated instruction, Socratic Seminars, cooperative learning, and inquiry.
- apply local and national standards to frame your instructional program.
- ensure accountability of teachers who use multiple intelligences, brain-based learning, and other innovations.
- understand the learning needs of students across grades PreK 12.

The Call to Teacher Leadership demonstrates the many ways teachers can be leaders without having to opt out of the classroom full-time. It examines formal leadership positions - instructional coordinators, lead teachers, department chairs, etc. - as well as informal leadership roles - nurturing colleagues, supporting the instructional program, participating in decision making, etc. With practical examples and case studies, this book provides details about how teachers have participated in the leadership of their schools and districts. Examples come from elementary, middle, and high schools across the country.

You became a school leader after succeeding in your particular content area and/or grade level. Now you're responsible for the entire school. You are accountable for everything that goes on, including results from those who teach outside your areas of original expertise. Supervision Across the Content Areas provides tools and strategies to help you effectively supervise all of your teachers, including those in contents areas or grade levels in which you may not have had personal classroom experience. While focusing on four key content areas Mathematics, Science, English/Language Arts, and Social Studies, this book also provides supervision tools for other content areas (foreign languages, fine arts, physical education, etc.). Also included are tools and strategies to help you - supervise teachers who use instructional strategies such as differentiated instruction, Socratic Seminars, cooperative learning, and inquiry. - apply local and national standards to frame your instructional program. - ensure accountability of teachers who use multiple intelligences, brain-based learning, and other innovations. - understand the learning needs of students across grades PreK-12.

The Call to Teacher Leadership demonstrates the many ways teachers can be leaders without having to opt out of the classroom full-time. It examines formal leadership positions - instructional coordinators, lead teachers, department chairs, etc. - as well as informal leadership roles - nurturing colleagues, supporting the instructional program, participating in decision making, etc. With practical examples and case studies, this book provides details about how teachers have participated in the leadership of their schools and districts. Examples come from elementary, middle, and high schools across the country.

This book explores the principal's role in meeting high expectations for student achievement. It provides detailed tips and strategies to show you what principals need to do to: assess and promote a culture and climate for school improvement, build teams and support the work their work, create the conditions so that teacher leaders can emerge, and monitor school improvement efforts

In the third edition of this bestselling book, instructional leadership expert Sally Zepeda shares eleven more field-tested, informal classroom observation tools designed specifically for school personnel working with teachers to assist them in developing their instructional strategies. The book includes the most comprehensive set of tools available today for classroom walkthroughs, professional development, and effective feedback. It is an invaluable resource for instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, department chairs, and school leaders. The revised third edition includes: 51 tools usable in print, on laptop computers, or on electronic tablets Strategies for conducting post-observation conferences Indexes to browse and choose the tools that best fit your individual needs

In today s schools, teachers are frequently called on to adapt new curricula and instructional practices in their classrooms. Making sense of the complexities of teaching occurs primarily during the work day, and instead of relying on before or after school one-size-fits-all professional development activities, schools must support teachers in learning on the job. The latest book from renowned author Sally J. Zepeda is written for teachers, teacher leaders, and school and district leaders who want to support job-embedded learning, a powerful form of professional development characterized by active learning and reflection grounded in the context of a teachers work environment. "

Job-Embedded Professional Development" provides a framework for helping teachers stop, take a deep breath, and learn along the way as they engage in their daily work. Through the engaging job-embedded learning activities, processes, and cases from the field explored in this book, teachers will immediately be able to:

• Implement what they are learning in the context of their own classrooms;
• Work with supportive peers who can coach them along the way;
• Get feedback on what s working and what needs to be tweaked;
• Learn as adult learners fully capable of making sound professional judgments;
• Engage in conversations that allow teachers to dig deeper into their practices;
• Focus intently on content knowledge and the linkages to instruction and assessment;
• Capitalize on learning in digital learning environments before, during, and after school;
• Gain confidence in themselves and others through learning together.

In today s schools, teachers are frequently called on to adapt new curricula and instructional practices in their classrooms. Making sense of the complexities of teaching occurs primarily during the work day, and instead of relying on before or after school one-size-fits-all professional development activities, schools must support teachers in learning on the job. The latest book from renowned author Sally J. Zepeda is written for teachers, teacher leaders, and school and district leaders who want to support job-embedded learning, a powerful form of professional development characterized by active learning and reflection grounded in the context of a teachers work environment. "

Job-Embedded Professional Development" provides a framework for helping teachers stop, take a deep breath, and learn along the way as they engage in their daily work. Through the engaging job-embedded learning activities, processes, and cases from the field explored in this book, teachers will immediately be able to:

• Implement what they are learning in the context of their own classrooms;
• Work with supportive peers who can coach them along the way;
• Get feedback on what s working and what needs to be tweaked;
• Learn as adult learners fully capable of making sound professional judgments;
• Engage in conversations that allow teachers to dig deeper into their practices;
• Focus intently on content knowledge and the linkages to instruction and assessment;
• Capitalize on learning in digital learning environments before, during, and after school;
• Gain confidence in themselves and others through learning together.

This comprehensive and authoritative book serves as the road map to your school's professional development journey. Written for principals, professional development directors, other district leaders, and teacher leaders, Professional Development: What Works shows you how to plan and implement programs that promote teacher growth. Full of helpful case studies, useful resources, and templates, this book guides you in creating an effective, job-embedded professional development program that moves ideas to action. Special Features in this Revised Edition: Revised discussion on supporting and providing learning opportunities for adults New "Cases from the Field" and "Notes from the Field" amplify best practices and serve to narrow the gap between research and practice Updated and expanded coverage of professional job-embedded learning helps leaders keep pace with advancements Suggested readings support digging deeper into topical areas found within the chapters

This comprehensive and authoritative book serves as the road map to your school's professional development journey. Written for principals, professional development directors, other district leaders, and teacher leaders, Professional Development: What Works shows you how to plan and implement programs that promote teacher growth. Full of helpful case studies, useful resources, and templates, this book guides you in creating an effective, job-embedded professional development program that moves ideas to action. Special Features in this Revised Edition: Revised discussion on supporting and providing learning opportunities for adults New "Cases from the Field" and "Notes from the Field" amplify best practices and serve to narrow the gap between research and practice Updated and expanded coverage of professional job-embedded learning helps leaders keep pace with advancements Suggested readings support digging deeper into topical areas found within the chapters

Central office resources are one of the largest assets in making meaningful change in schools, and this important book guides aspiring district leaders to take up the challenge to transform their schools, while at the same time balancing their core responsibilities. This book helps readers rethink the impact of central office on system and school initiatives, understand and apply transformational thinking, and change strategies at the central office to develop new instructional designs, create new opportunities to prioritize human and fiscal resources, and establish new leadership approaches founded on systems review and change. Full of exemplars from the field, questions for discussion, and suggested readings, this valuable textbook is for use in educational leadership preparation programs.

This book explores the principal s role in meeting high expectations for student achievement. It provides detailed tips and strategies to show you what principals need to do to: assess and promote a culture and climate for school improvement, build teams and support the work their work, create the conditions so that teacher leaders can emerge, and monitor school improvement efforts

In the updated third edition of this highly successful book, leadership expert, Sally Zepeda offers savvy advice to both new and seasoned principals and assistant principals. You get practical tools and strategies, along with real-world examples to help you improve teacher effectiveness and boost student achievement.

This edition features valuable resources for teacher evaluation and professional development programs, including:

• Tools and procedures for conducting classroom observations and pre- and post-observation conferences
• How-to steps for assessing the culture and climate of your school
• Strategies to address marginal teaching
• Techniques to support adult learning and professional development

Related News & Media

Dr. Doug Green featured a book summary of The Principal as Instructional Leader: A Practical Handbook (3rd Edition) on his website.
The Principal as Instructional Leader: A Practical Handbook (3rd Edition) by Sally J. Zepeda was reviewed in The 21st Century Principal.

Under increasing pressure in the face of teacher evaluation systems and accountability measures, schools must focus on those teachers that exhibit marginal to incompetent teaching behaviors in their classrooms. This book is a vital resource for educational leaders who are responsible for instructional programs and teacher evaluation. Zepeda's tried-and-true strategies will help you take the necessary steps to support and mentor struggling teachers by detecting underperformance, developing strategies to help teachers, engaging in difficult conversations to enact plans of improvement, and following legal requirements. The practical tools found in this book will help teachers improve their instruction, assessment, classroom management, and teamwork.