As an Assistant Principal, one of my duties was to prepare our monthly report for our meeting with District leadership. Therefore, I had to work with our coaches and Department Heads to collect, analyze, and share student data. In addition, I would help our teacher leaders prepare to present their data during the meeting.
As a result of our work together, not only did our student outcomes improve, but we also built a foundation of trust. So, how can school leaders create environments where both teaching excellence and student achievement naturally flourish?
When students are well led, they learn well. This simple truth carries profound implications for educational leadership. Recent research reveals that effective school leadership accounts for nearly 25% of a school’s impact on student achievement. The key lies not in implementing more programs or initiatives, but in creating systems that protect and prioritize what matters most: quality instruction and student learning.
Trust as a Foundation
Leadership begins with trust-building. When administrators consistently demonstrate presence in classrooms, engage in meaningful conversations with staff, and follow through on commitments, they create the foundation for sustainable improvement. Teachers who trust their leaders are more willing to innovate and take instructional risks that benefit students.
Protected Learning Spaces
One of the most critical leadership responsibilities is defending instructional time. Schools lose between 16% and 25% of learning time to various disruptions. Effective leaders establish clear protocols for managing interruptions, create master schedules that maximize learning blocks, and set boundaries around administrative demands on teachers.
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Strong leaders use data to guide their actions rather than relying solely on intuition. This means regular analysis of student achievement data, monitoring of attendance and engagement patterns, and tracking implementation of instructional initiatives. Most importantly, it means using feedback loops to refine approaches based on what’s working.
Teacher Development
Research consistently shows that classroom instruction quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement. Effective leaders prioritize teacher growth through targeted professional development, structured collaboration time, and regular constructive feedback. They create conditions that allow teachers to focus on their craft rather than on administrative tasks.
To transform these insights into practice:
1. Conduct an honest assessment of your current instructional leadership:
- How much time do you spend in classrooms?
- What evidence do you collect about teaching and learning?
- How do you support teacher growth?
2. Establish protected instructional time:
- Audit current interruptions
- Create clear protocols for managing disruptions
- Designate sacred spaces for teaching and learning
3. Build trust through consistent presence and support:
- Schedule regular classroom visits
- Create structures for meaningful teacher feedback
- Follow through on commitments
4. Use evidence to drive improvement:
- Implement regular data review cycles
- Create structures for team analysis
- Plan adjustment points throughout the year
Remember: When students are well led, they learn well. This isn’t about perfection – it’s about continuous improvement through intentional leadership practices focused on what matters most: creating conditions where every student can thrive.
#EducationalLeader,
Kim
When students are well led, they learn well.
References:
- The Wallace Foundation. (2025). How Leadership Influences Student Learning.
- Discovery Education. (2025). School Leadership: Building Effective Learning Environments.
- Education Week. (2026). Critical Issues Facing Education Leaders.
The views shared in the Educational Leadership Moment are solely those of Dr. Kim D. Moore and do not reflect the positions of her employer or any entity within the local, state, or federal government sector.
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