Making a Difference: Instructional Leadership That Drives Self-Reflection and Values the Expertise of Teachers

The US education system has become a cultural and political battleground, with a surge in racially motivated violence, restrictions on women's reproductive rights, and xenophobic policies. This book aims to equip educators with a framework for providing instructional leadership that ensures culturally responsive instruction, and to mitigate harmful educational practices from prepackaged curricula and teacher evaluation systems. Through an intentionally diverse team of educators, schools can transform from systems of oppression into systems of opportunity.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The United States education system has evolved into a contentious cultural and political arena, marked by a surge in racially motivated violence, restrictions on women's reproductive rights, and xenophobic policies. The most concerning trend is the institutionalization of white supremacist ideologies that hinder the teaching of accurate histories of our racially stratified society. Despite ongoing efforts to address social domination based on various sociocultural identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, identity, ability, and other lived experiences, the country continues to grapple with these issues.

This book seeks to provide educators with a comprehensive framework for delivering instructional leadership that ensures culturally responsive teaching. By altering the content, approach, and target audience of education, educators can play a pivotal role in creating a more progressive, equitable, and inclusive society. One of the most effective strategies for achieving this is by empowering instructional leaders to become equity leaders who actively mitigate harmful educational practices derived from prepackaged curricula and teacher evaluation systems.

To achieve this transformation, schools must cultivate an intentionally diverse team of educators who can observe, measure, and support teachers in their journey toward becoming culturally responsive instructors. This process involves implementing formative feedback structures that provide teachers with constructive feedback and guidance to improve their teaching practices. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth, schools can transform from systems of oppression into systems of opportunity, where all students have the chance to thrive and achieve their full potential.

In conclusion, the United States education system faces significant challenges, but there are opportunities for positive change. By embracing culturally responsive teaching practices and empowering instructional leaders to become equity leaders, schools can create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students. This approach not only benefits individual students but also contributes to the broader social and political landscape, promoting a more progressive and inclusive society.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475872262