Learning Forward
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Strong leaders help teachers adapt to improved literacy instruction
By Kelly Hastings and Jennifer Paulsen
August 2024
Embarking on an initiative to implement evidence-based reading instruction can be both exhilarating and daunting for school and district leaders. Some may think that adopting a curriculum grounded in the principles of the science of reading will automatically ensure success. Choosing a strong curriculum is a crucial step, but it’s important to remember that change happens because of the people involved, and, for many, change is hard. Despite our best intentions, many initiatives falter due to a lack of fidelity in implementation. This gap between vision and execution can stem from various factors, including inadequate professional learning, resistance to change, top-down demands, a failure to sustain momentum over time, and difficulty translating theory into practice (Hall & Hord, 2015; Joyce & Showers, 2002). A common
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References
Aarons, G.A., Ehrhart, M.G., Farahnak, L.R., & Hurlburt, M.S. (2015). Leadership and organizational change for implementation (LOCI): A randomized mixed method pilot study of a leadership and organization development intervention for evidence-based practice implementation. Implementation Science, 10(11). doi.org/10.1186/s13012-014-0192-y
Fullan, M. (2014). Leading in a culture of change. John Wiley & Sons.
Hall, G.E. & Hord, S.M. (2015). Implementing change: Patterns, principles, and potholes. Pearson.
Joyce, B. & Showers, B. (2002). Student achievement through staff development. ASCD.
Leithwood, K. & Sun, J. (2012). The nature and effects of transformational school leadership: A meta-analytic review of unpublished research. Educational Administration Quarterly, 48(3), 387-423.
Pizzuto, J. & Carney, S. (2024). Implement with impact. Solution Tree.
Kelly Hastings (kmrhastings@gmail.com) is a retired public school principal with 25 years of experience in public education, now channels her extensive expertise into Enlightening Leadership, a leadership coaching company she founded. Through her company, she coaches school principals and consults on leadership, and supports principals in realizing their goals. Kelly is dedicated to empowering educational leaders, which involves collaborating with teachers, to create positive, impactful changes in their schools.
Jennifer Paulsen (jenniferpaulsen23@gmail.com) is an educator with thirty-one years serving as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, school improvement TOSA, and elementary principal. She is currently the founder of Heart and Hand Consulting where she supports literacy through services to schools and parents.
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