College students finishing their academic preparation programs face the difficult challenge of transitioning into the teaching profession. In a short period of time, they can no longer function as a student themselves and must immediately transform into a professional educator. This can be a difficult challenge for a young person and they need guidance doing this successfully. The one opportunity college students have in gaining practical experience as a teacher is through the student teaching experience. Unfortunately, many students squander this critical opportunity and finish their assignment without maximizing their own learning and without capitalizing on professional opportunities that they will need to be hired as a teacher. By building a professional brand name through a thoughtful preservice teaching experience, novice educators are better able to survive the application and interview process and secure a teaching position. Capitilizing on the difficult transition point between the college experience and the school environment is more important than ever. When this is done in a systematic and thoughtful manner, educators can be certain that they are as prepared as possible to enter the demanding profession of education.

College students finishing their academic preparation programs face the difficult challenge of transitioning into the teaching profession. In a short period of time, they can no longer function as a student themselves and must immediately transform into a professional educator. This can be a difficult challenge for a young person and they need guidance doing this successfully. The one opportunity college students have in gaining practical experience as a teacher is through the student teaching experience. Unfortunately, many students squander this critical opportunity and finish their assignment without maximizing their own learning and without capitalizing on professional opportunities that they will need to be hired as a teacher. By building a professional brand name through a thoughtful preservice teaching experience, novice educators are better able to survive the application and interview process and secure a teaching position. Capitilizing on the difficult transition point between the college experience and the school environment is more important than ever. When this is done in a systematic and thoughtful manner, educators can be certain that they are as prepared as possible to enter the demanding profession of education.

School leaders know that instructional leadership is a crucial aspect of education. However, many of those leaders lack the knowledge and credibility to lead this work. Leaders must be empowered to enter into and guide instructional conversations while building leadership capacity of their teachers in the process. It is easy for administrators to get caught up in the daily managerial tasks of running a school. Passionate educators become principals, however, to make a positive impact on the classroom opportunities and experiences of young people. Because principals may not be experts in all areas of instruction, they must develop their own skills to become genuine participants in instructional conversations. However, the task of a true leader is also to develop the leadership capacity of those around them to ensure that best practices are embraced in all classrooms. The most important and consequential work in schools is happening in the trenches. Principals must commit to join their teachers in that space. With these new skills and a renewed commitment to genuine instructional leadership, administrators can work collaboratively with teachers to transform the educational experience of all students.

School leaders know that instructional leadership is a crucial aspect of education. However, many of those leaders lack the knowledge and credibility to lead this work. Leaders must be empowered to enter into and guide instructional conversations while building leadership capacity of their teachers in the process. It is easy for administrators to get caught up in the daily managerial tasks of running a school. Passionate educators become principals, however, to make a positive impact on the classroom opportunities and experiences of young people. Because principals may not be experts in all areas of instruction, they must develop their own skills to become genuine participants in instructional conversations. However, the task of a true leader is also to develop the leadership capacity of those around them to ensure that best practices are embraced in all classrooms. The most important and consequential work in schools is happening in the trenches. Principals must commit to join their teachers in that space. With these new skills and a renewed commitment to genuine instructional leadership, administrators can work collaboratively with teachers to transform the educational experience of all students.