Education Walkthrough

Such an important reminder—real leadership isn’t about being front and center; it’s about empowering those who are. Shaping culture, building trust, and supporting teachers behind the scenes is where the magic happens. At Education Walkthrough, we see this every day—when leaders focus on meaningful feedback and intentional support, teachers and students thrive. It’s all about those small, consistent actions that ripple out into big changes.

"Superintendents are failing America’s schools!” But are they really? Dr. Ian A. Roberts makes a compelling case that the challenges in education today are far too complex to place solely on the shoulders of school leaders. Superintendents aren’t just administrators—they’re leaders navigating crises, building partnerships, and facing unimaginable pressures, including threats to their safety. The average tenure of a superintendent is 2.8 years—what other industry could survive leadership turnover at this rate? Instead of pointing fingers, we need to create multi-sector partnerships and engage communities to truly transform education. This is a conversation we need to have: how do we shift from a culture of criticism to one of support and collaboration for the leaders shaping our children’s futures? https://lnkd.in/gx-V7_wf #RadicalEmpathy #EducationalLeadership #Superintendents #SchoolLeadership #CollaborationOverCriticism

Happy MLK Day! As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this January, we’re reminded of his belief in the power of community, compassion, and shared purpose. This month offers a unique opportunity to honor his vision by resetting school culture and reestablishing the norms that make your school community strong. Dr. King emphasized the importance of recognizing and uplifting the good in others. Similarly, your walkthroughs can be ways to spotlight and celebrate moments of excellence in your classrooms—whether it’s a teacher engaging students in meaningful dialogue or students demonstrating kindness and respect. As you reflect on Dr. King’s dream of a brighter future, consider how your leadership can inspire and nurture a culture of positivity, equity, and growth within your school. Education Walkthrough is here to support you in capturing and uplifting the moments that matter. Start the year with intentionality by focusing on catching people doing the right things. Check Ken Blanchard’s article outlining the positive impacts of offering positive feedback to change behavior. https://buff.ly/41QLPBO

Principals have profound effects on student achievement, yet their responsibilities are sprawling. From managing operations to supporting teachers, a recent report from Instruction Partners emphasized how principals are often pulled in too many directions. Streamlining processes and building clarity can help principals sustain their long-term impact. Simplified systems allow leaders to focus on what matters most—supporting teachers and students. #PrincipalLeadership #FocusOnWhatMatters #InstructionalLeadership #Education #School #Learning

The Instruction Partners report confirms what many principals feel: their role is too much. From managing operations to coaching teachers, leading a school often means trying to do it all—and burning out in the process. But here’s the truth: You don’t have to do it all. The best leaders focus on what only they can do and empower others to lead the rest. - Delegate operational tasks to a trusted director of operations or assistant principal. - Empower instructional leaders—like coaches or department heads—to guide collaborative planning, feedback, and data use. - Trust your team to carry the vision while you steer the ship. Leadership isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about knowing where your presence matters most. Principals, you don’t have to carry the whole school on your shoulders—just make sure the weight is distributed where it belongs. https://lnkd.in/gBsy3Sww #schoolprincipal #superintendent #district #school #education #leadership

Ever wonder what it’s really like to be a student in your school? ?? For one San Jose intermediate school, student shadowing turned curiosity into clarity—revealing that a “collaborative” lesson on paper doesn’t always translate to an engaging, collaborative experience for multilingual learners (MLLs). By observing MLLs’ speaking, listening, and even off-task moments, the instructional leadership team gained powerful insights into how instructional design and student experience don’t always align. This sparked a game-changing collaboration with Partners in School Innovation to craft a plan that elevated support for MLLs—going beyond surface-level strategies to truly meet their needs. The result? A renewed focus on intentional teaching practices that foster real engagement and learning. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gRPYMjqe #StudentExperience #MLLs #InstructionalLeadership #Education #Equity #LanguageLearning