You Don′t Have to Be Bad to Get Better: A Leader′s Guide to Improving Teacher Quality - Paperback

by Candi B. McKay (Author)

Take your school to the next level!

What are the attributes of strong instructional leaders? How are they able to effect changes in teaching practice that has remained virtually the same for decades? This practical guide is about school leadership, but with a laser-like focus on what it takes to develop, support, and sustain quality teaching in any school environment.

Grounded in research and over a decade of experience working in schools throughout the country, You Don't Have to Be Bad to Get Better offers school leaders at every level the guidance, specific tools, and resources they need to increase teacher--and student--success. School leaders will develop:

- Strategies for transitioning from a culture of fear and criticism to a culture of learning
- The tools needed to hire, grow, and improve the quality of teachers under their leadership
- A blueprint for engaging teachers in their own professional growth
- A deep understanding of the role of district office personnel in improving both teaching and learning

Research shows that the most important factor in student learning is the quality of the teacher in the classroom. Bring out the best in your teachers through strong instructional leadership and watch student learning soar!

"I′m already thinking of how to incorporate what I′ve learned from the book into my practice and staff professional development!"
--Frank Chiki, Principal
Chamiza Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM

"McKay has developed a user-friendly guide to thinking about and assessing current practice in an effort to move everyone forward. This is a valuable text for study by collaborative teacher and administrator groups who are interested in improving their professional practice."
--Bernadette Cleland, Co-Founder
Teaching & Learning Solutions

Author Biography

Candi McKay is a national consultant and President of McKay Consulting, LLC, providing consultation, facilitation and training related to teacher quality and professional learning to school districts and state service agencies around the country. A frequent national speaker on the topics of teacher quality, teacher evaluation and professional conversation, Candi is also a consultant to the Danielson Group, offering professional development for the nationally recognized Framework for Teaching for over a decade. Her work focuses on tools to promote professional learning which include the design of teacher evaluation systems, including training and follow up support for teachers and administrators, and guidelines for professional growth plans. Candi works extensively with school leadership teams to enhance their skills in classroom observation, collegial conversation and professional learning.

Candi wrote and developed the online learning opportunity Talk About Teaching, based on Charlotte Danielson′s book and available through Corwin and School Improvement Network (2010). She is also a co-author of the book, Implementing the Framework for Teaching in Enhancing Professional Practice: An ASCD Action Tool (ASCD, 2009), Candi′s experience with schools across the country demonstrates her commitment to meeting the needs of students by improving professional practice and providing opportunities for ongoing reflection and collaboration. Clients who have worked with Candi comment on the level of expertise and rigor she brings to the work, as well as her ability to establish a presence and engage educators in meaningful learning.