Douglas Fisher is professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Previously, Fisher was an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. In 2022, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame by the Literacy Research Association. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as Your Introduction to PLC+, Welcome to Teaching, How Feedback Works, Teaching Reading, and RIGOR Unveiled. Fisher loves being an educator and hopes to share that passion with others. Nancy Frey is a professor in educational leadership at San Diego State University and a teacher leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Her published titles include The Courage to Learn, The Art and Science of Coaching, How Scaffolding Works, and The Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning. Frey is a credentialed special educator, reading specialist, and administrator in California and learns from teachers and students every day. Dr. Gina DiTullio holds a doctorate in Executive Leadership from the St. John Fisher College of Education and brings 30 years of diverse experience in the field of education. Her career spans roles as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, mentor, adjunct professor, special education administrator, and elementary school principal. She currently serves as the principal of Austin Steward Elementary School #46 in Rochester, New York. Dr. DiTullio was a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) from 2003-2013 and is an esteemed member of both PDK International and the Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society. Her passion for educational leadership and instructional excellence is reflected in her published work in Kappan Magazine, Edutopia, and SAANYS Vanguard, and K12 Digest Magazine. Dominique Smith, EdD, is an award-winning educator, author, and school leader who has dedicated two decades to transforming schools into inclusive, safe, and empowering spaces for students and educators alike. He currently serves as Principal at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego, California. Dominique earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. A passionate advocate for belonging, restorative practices, and leadership development, Dr. Smith has co-authored several influential books, including Belonging in School: Creating a Place Where Kids Want to Learn and Teachers Want to Stay; Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management; Building Equity: Policies and Practices to Empower All Learners; Leader Credibility; How Leadership Works: A Playbook for Instructional Leaders; and The Restorative Practices Playbook. Through his leadership, writing, and speaking, Dr. Smith continues to champion the belief that when students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are empowered to thrive-both academically and personally. His work challenges schools to move beyond compliance and discipline toward cultures of belonging, accountability, and restorative growth.
Build and sustain the mindsets and systems that make teacher clarity work. Learning depends on clarity-a shared understanding among teachers, leaders, and students of what is being learned, why it matters, and how success will be recognized, all aligned with the learning experiences and assessment tasks. While many schools want to embrace teacher clarity, progress often stalls without clear guidance for school and district leaders. This book provides the essential framework for leaders to build, sustain, and embed a culture of clarity that transforms teaching and learning across the entire system. Developed for principals, instructional coaches, and district leaders, this practical guide will help you lead and implement teacher clarity, ensuring it is a foundational element of your school's or district's culture and not just a temporary initiative. Designed for reading alongside teachers' use of the bestselling The Teacher Clarity Playbook, this book provides leaders with the tools to support teachers on their journey and ensure the work succeeds and endures. Features include: Planning Your Pitch: Ready-to-use talking points to help leaders communicate key ideas clearly and persuasively The Thinking Leader: Reflective questions to deepen self-awareness and provoke thoughtful leadership discussions A Leader's Perspective: Real-life stories and insights from experienced educational leaders Leadership Checklist: Actionable steps to guide leaders in implementing new ideas effectively within their own contexts By modeling, protecting, and sustaining clarity, leaders can create the conditions for teachers to collaborate, reflect, and grow together, ensuring every student has a clear vision of success.
About the Authors Introduction Part I: The Why-Building the Case for Clarity Chapter 1: See the Power of Clarity Chapter 2: Build the Case for Change Part II: The What-Defining Teacher Clarity Chapter 3: Define What Clarity Means Chapter 4: Design the Process for Clarity Part III: The How-Leading the Journey Chapter 5: Assess and Prepare for Clarity Chapter 6: Lead the Plan for Clarity Chapter 7: Develop People Through Clarity Part IV: The System-Embedding Clarity Into Culture Chapter 8: Sustain Growth Through Clarity Chapter 9: Renew the Commitment to Clarity Part V: The Legacy-Sustaining Clarity Through Leadership Chapter 10: The Legacy of Teacher Clarity Leadership Closing Thoughts: The Work That Endures References Index