Attention School Principals! Does this Sound Familiar?It was a crisp Wednesday morning when Principal Edwards set out with his clipboard, ready to observe Mrs. Thompson's third-grade class. He had carefully planned this visit, aiming to capture the authentic teaching moments that Mrs. Thompson was known for. As he approached the classroom, he could hear the melodic hum of students engaged in their morning activities. Stepping quietly into the room, he was greeted with a warm smile from Mrs. Thompson, who continued with her lesson as if he wasn’t there. Moments into the observation, Principal Edwards noticed a slight commotion outside the classroom. Ignoring it, he focused on the intricate dance of learning unfolding before him. Just as he was about to jot down a note, the classroom door burst open. In rushed Mr. Johnson, the school’s janitor, looking rather flustered. “Principal Edwards, we’ve got a situation in the cafeteria,” Mr. Johnson exclaimed, trying to keep his voice low but failing miserably. The students' heads turned in unison, their attention diverted from Mrs. Thompson’s engaging narrative on the solar system. Mrs. Thompson paused, her eyes meeting Principal Edwards’ with a mixture of amusement and concern. “Mr. Johnson, can it wait? I’m in the middle of an observation,” Principal Edwards replied, attempting to maintain some semblance of composure. “I’m afraid not, sir. It’s quite urgent,” Mr. Johnson insisted. With a resigned sigh, Principal Edwards nodded and followed Mr. Johnson out of the classroom, leaving behind a sea of curious faces.
JIGSAW School is designed for school principals who are keenly aware of the importance of instructional leadership--critical for school principals to prioritize—"it's the heartbeat of educational success within a school." When principals focus on instructional leadership, they directly influence the quality of teaching and learning, which has a profound impact on student achievement.
