Megan Kortlandt, Carly Stone, and Samantha Keesling have developed a flexible structure for collaborative professional learning that they call the principal lab, in which K-12 principals learn with and from each other to become better instructional leaders. Each chapter walks through the foundational components of a successful principal lab--relationship building, anchoring experiences, observations, and feedback--and then discusses how to lay the groundwork, figure out logistics, and plan and structure labs.
Principal Labs: Strengthening Instructional Leadership Through Shared Learning combines the latest research in adult learning with the authors' practical experience to discuss the qualities of a successful principal lab and provide the tools to build your own. It's easy to get started with downloadable reflection and observation templates based on the examples in each chapter.
As a school principal you have many responsibilities, and finding time for your own professional development can be a challenge. The approach in this book will help you effectively use your time to connect with other principals, practice and develop feedback skills, and ultimately make informed decisions for instructional improvement in your school.
Keesling, Samantha: -
Samantha Keesling, EdS, is a mathematics consultant in the leadership and school improvement unit at Oakland Schools Intermediate School District. In addition to 13 years working with students and teachers in the classroom, she served on the executive board of the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is a past president. For the past nine years, she has led teachers and administrators in implementing student-centered math instruction. In her role at Oakland Schools, Samantha works with Megan to coordinate the Job-Embedded Professional Learning Network, which supports instructional leaders across the region in studying, designing, and facilitating professional learning. You can find her on Twitter @Keesling_Math.
Kortlandt, Megan: -
Megan Kortlandt is a literacy consultant with Oakland Schools, an intermediate school district that serves across one of Michigan's largest counties. She has taught in middle and high school classrooms in a variety of settings over the past 15 years, but she has more recently found a passion for supporting teachers and leaders as they strive to reach all learners through engagement, authenticity, and autonomy. When she's not teaching or facilitating professional learning, chances are good Megan is writing about it. She has previously been published in NCTE's journal Voices from the Middle and The Michigan Reading Journal, and she is a contributing writer for Moving Writers. You can find her on Twitter @megankortlandt.
Stone, Carly: -
Carly Stone is the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the Brandon School District in Michigan. In her 16 years of experience, she has worked as a math and science teacher, building administrator for middle and high schools, and K-12 director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for one of the largest public school districts in Michigan. Over the past seven years, she has served on multiple AdvancED/Cognia accreditation review teams studying and supporting schools and systems. She finds tremendous enjoyment working directly with principals to coach and design professional learning intentionally designed to meet leaders' professional goals for themselves, their schools, the teachers they support, and the students they serve. You can find her on Twitter @CarlyStone_PL.
