Here’s an important message for assistant principals, deans, and anyone who carries the responsibility of discipline in a school. The research is clear. When school leaders spend the majority of their time on instructional leadership and coaching, student outcomes improve. Instructional leadership has a significantly greater impact on learning than reactive, managerial work alone. Discipline matters, but it does not move achievement the way strong instruction does. This is why the goal should be for roughly 70 percent of our day to be spent in classrooms. Observing instruction. Coaching teachers. Giving meaningful feedback. Supporting high-quality teaching and learning. Being visible instructional leaders where learning actually happens. This does not minimize discipline. When discipline occurs, it must be handled at a high level. Procedures matter. Documentation matters. Consistency matters. We must cross our T’s and dot our I’s to support students, protect systems, and maintain a strong school culture. But when our role becomes mostly reactive, we miss the opportunity to be preventative. Strong instruction, engaging classrooms, and clear expectations reduce discipline issues before they ever reach the office. The more time we invest in instruction, the fewer fires we have to put out later. As Baruti Kafele reminds us in The Assistant Principal 50: “Instructional leadership is not an add-on to the role. It is the role.” If students only see us when something goes wrong, we are missing our greatest leverage point. Our impact grows when we are in classrooms, building capacity, strengthening instruction, and supporting teachers. This work is not about doing less discipline. It is about doing more of what research, experience, and great leadership tell us matters most. #InstructionalLeadership #AssistantPrincipalLife #DeanOfStudents #InTheClassrooms #LeadLearning #ProactiveNotReactive #SchoolLeadership #ImpactOverActivity @PrincipalKafele

I’m grateful to be #LEADLearning alongside these leaders. Their hard work, dedication and commitment inspires me to be better each day! @MrGibbs29 @GillIvy19 @janetrodarte21 @MisterMorehead @LeadWithWilson @AyresAggie #PanthersPotential Now serving high quality instruction ✅💯🔥

Thank you #team for engaging with our #PLN We must always put #leadlearning in the forefront of our mission. @AyresAggie @GillIvy19 @LeadWithWilson @misskristal @warren10katty @janetrodarte21 @MrGibbs29 @angrod1107 @a_castelline #PanthersPotential @MisterMorehead

Surround yourself with people whose mission is the same as yours. Glad to be #leadlearning with these amazing #PrinciPALS @KenishaSpears3

Excited to be part of this transformative work again!!! And on top of that, rocking with my squad! @MsEricka_Austin These two amazing individuals played an important role in my #leadlearning in HISD!

What makes us leaders is the decision we make and the influence we have. Glad to be #leadlearning with my leadership team! What excites you about this book? @LeadWithWilson @GillIvy19 @misskristal @warren10katty @AyresAggie @janetrodarte21 @MrGibbs29 @angrod1107 #PanthersProud

I am thoroughly enjoying the Building Better Writers PD by @Seidlitz_Ed provided by our district’s Language Acquisition Dept with my fellow Instructional Specialist and @Duncanville_HS teachers! This is a training everyone needs to have!!! So meaningful…so intentional…and we are being equipped with strategies ALL teachers can use with ALL students!!! I LOVE this. #LeadWithImpact @DVilleProfDev @BPinter_08 @DvilleBESL #BTL #DHS #InstructionalCoachThings #LeadLearning #ContinuousImprovement

Diving into LEARNING! 😄Reflecting on my journey as an #NBCT. As a school leader, I belong here because I vowed to never forget the INCREDIBLE work of teachers! I am excited to lead the instructional expertise of teachers across Maryland #leadlearning

So proud of this work! Sad I missed it, but I will be there next time! #amplifyingthevoicesofteachersofcolor #proudnbctteacher #leadlearning @NBPTS

How wonderful ! Congratulations! #oneardswegrow #leadlearning

Great to join forces w/ Private School Leadership cohort #PSL during #HeadsFellows23 @KlingensteinCtr #LeadLearning - the future is bright! @TeachersCollege

Starting 2023 with @Youens_Gators Best Practices! #namethelap #modelandpractice #bestpractices #teachlikeachampion #leadlearning #gatorslead #2023goals

@PrincipalKafele said… “Ask yourself, how serious am I about my leadership, my growth & my reflection?” And then @Jcm1st caught my real serious face!! Coffee, journal & pencil 📝👩🏽‍🏫 #LeadLearning #R4Leaders @R4Leaders

.@NIETteach How does your district show what they value? @Tangischools district leaders are engaging in new learning alongside their school leaders. Ask questions and sharing doing a great job of #leadlearning #showwhatyouvalue

It's always a great day for #LEADLearning! Today we highlight AP Master Class, a space for experienced APs to read current research, think innovatively and share ideas. Thank you, Marcel Deans and Jae Cho, for your expert facilitation!

@PrincipalWolfe covering in 3rd grade this morning! The Best Part Of Me. Amazing book! #OneAldrin #LeadLearning #culturize #LiveYourExcellence @casas_jimmy @fcpsnews @FCPSRegion1

Proud of these incredible students and all they’ve accomplished! They know what it means to #LeadLearning #AdvancedAcademics

Friday Professional Development is in progress at JPK! Thanks to Ms. Brittany Jennings and Coach Davenport for leading our learning today. #jpkspartans #CurrituckK12 #spartanfamily #leadlearning

Thanks for having me out. Excited to see all the great things happening at @HumbleISD_KMS and looking forward to supporting as we help #LeadLearning

Northwest RPDC wrapped up their annual retreat, and could not be more ready and excited to serve the educators of the #GreatNorthwest! #leadlearning #buildingcapacity #collaboration #TEAM