Now We're Talking! 21 Days to High-Performance Instructional Leadership (Solution Tree) is the definitive guide to classroom walkthroughs.
On this page, you'll learn about the book and how it helps school leaders:
- Confidently get into classrooms every day
- Have feedback conversations that change teacher practice
- Discover their best opportunities for school improvement
Who Is Now We're Talking! Written For?
Now We're Talking! 21 Days to High-Performance Instructional Leadership is primarily for school-based administrators—principals and assistant principals—who want to get into classrooms.
It's also a great fit for:
- Superintendents and principal supervisors
- Aspiring administrators
- Instructional coaches
What's in the Table of Contents?
Now We're Talking! 21 Days to High-Performance Instructional Leadership is organized into 21 chapters and 4 sections:
Week 1: High-Performance Instructional Leadership Fundamentals
Chapter 1: Understanding Why Instructional Leaders Belong in Classrooms
Chapter 2: Following the High-Performance Instructional Leadership Model
Chapter 3: Acknowledging Related Instructional Leadership, Supervision, and Walkthrough Models
Chapter 4: Conducting Your First Two Cycles of Visits
Chapter 5: Thinking Ahead to Your Third Cycle of Visits
Week 2: High-Performance Habits
Chapter 6: Making Time to Visit Classrooms
Chapter 7: Keeping Your Communication Channels Under Control
Chapter 8: Managing the Work You're Not Doing Yet
Chapter 9: Organizing Your To-Do List
Chapter 10: Maximizing Your Mental Energy With Habits
Week 3: High-Impact Instructional Conversations
Chapter 11: Going Beyond Data Collection and the Feedback Sandwich
Chapter 12: Facilitating Evidence-Based Conversations
Chapter 13: Bringing a Shared Instructional Framework Into the Conversation
Chapter 14: Developing Skills for High-Impact Conversations
Chapter 15: Handling the Toughest Conversations
Week 4: High-Performance Instructional Leadership Enhancement
Chapter 16: Building Your Feedback Repertoire
Chapter 17: Balancing Your Formal Evaluation Responsibilities
Chapter 18: Identifying Improvements From Classroom Visits
Chapter 19: Opening the Door to New Models of Professional Learning
Chapter 20: Choosing an Instructional Focus for an Observation Cycle
Chapter 21: Scaling Classroom Visits Across Your School and District
Is Now We're Talking! Available as an Audiobook?
Yes, the Now We're Talking! audiobook is available through the Instructional Leadership Association membership as well as Audible.com.
The audiobook is 5 hours in length, so it's easy to finish in just a few minutes a day.
Is Now We're Talking! Available as a Kindle eBook?
Can we order multiple copies directly from The Principal Center?
Yes, please contact us for bulk orders.
What Do Other Experts Think About Now We're Talking?
“Why are teachers and administrators so frustrated with traditional classroom observations? Justin Baeder provides the answer in this clarion call for leadership that makes a difference. With day-by-day guidelines, Baeder takes the reader from the why to the how of instructional leadership based on a solid foundation of research and experience, and helps leaders engage in observations that are systematic, frequent, and meaningful. With practical tips on time management, interpersonal communication, and personal growth, this book will help veterans, new leaders, and aspiring leaders alike.”
Douglas Reeves, Founder, Creative Leadership Solutions
“The greatest gift a principal can give a student is a highly-skilled teacher. This book gives the principal an easy “on-ramp” for getting into classrooms and providing the feedback that will improve instruction.”
Frank Buck, Author, Get Organized!: Time Management for School Leaders; President, Frank Buck Consulting, Inc.
“Justin Baeder's Now We're Talking! is a true masterpiece. The book makes a compelling case for the importance of regular teacher observation and presents a rigorous, comprehensive, and progressive blueprint to help principals fulfill that duty. Baeder breaks down the process into manageable chunks and offers concrete strategies to help principals become more present in classrooms, deepen relationships with teachers, provide them with actionable feedback and support, and, when necessary, conduct difficult conversations. This book is a must-read for any administrator who wants to challenge themselves to become the very best instructional leader they can be.”
Naphtali Hoff, President, Impactful Coaching & Consulting
About the Author
Justin Baeder, PhD is Director of The Principal Center, where he helps senior leaders in K-12 organizations build capacity for instructional leadership by helping school leaders:
- Confidently get into classrooms every day
- Have feedback conversations that change teacher practice
- Discover their best opportunities for student learning
He holds a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Washington, and is the host of Principal Center Radio, where he interviews education thought leaders.
His book Now We're Talking! 21 Days to High-Performance Instructional Leadership (Solution Tree) is the definitive guide to classroom walkthroughs.