Minnesota Instructional Leadership Academy Empowers Educators to Advance Equity
Table of Contents
A new year-long professional learning series in Minnesota is equipping school leaders with the tools and frameworks to address inequities and foster impactful teacher growth. The Minnesota Instructional Leadership Academy aims to build a collaborative community focused on data-driven strategies and student-centered learning.
The program, designed to be immediately applicable, centers on developing practices in qualitative data collection, providing targeted feedback, and strategically planning teacher learning. Participants will engage in a comprehensive series of learning experiences throughout the academic year.
A Multi-Faceted Approach to Professional Growth
The Academy’s structure combines various learning modalities to maximize impact. The year includes five whole-group learning sessions, five sponsor-coaching sessions, four small-group learning experiences conducted directly in schools, and three dedicated district or principal coaching support sessions. This blended approach ensures continuous support and application of new skills.
The Academy’s curriculum is firmly grounded in the evidence-based 4 Dimensions of School Leadership™ and 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning™ frameworks. These frameworks provide a common language and shared understanding for participants as they navigate complex challenges.
Core Skills for Equitable Outcomes
Through participation, educators will hone skills critical to fostering inclusive and effective learning environments. Specifically, the Academy focuses on developing the ability to:
- Uncover inequities in student learning experiences.
- Facilitate discussions around instruction using qualitative evidence.
- Deliver strengths-based feedback to support ongoing teacher growth.
A key component of the program involves immersive observation experiences. Participants will dedicate four days to observing and analyzing teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on elevating the experiences of students “furthest from justice,” as one program official stated.
Deepening Understanding Through Focused Sessions
Whole-group learning sessions, strategically placed at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the year, provide opportunities for in-depth exploration of critical topics. These sessions will focus on:
- Deepening understanding of the connection between instructional practices and equity.
- Examining the influence of implicit bias and privilege on leadership decisions.
- Refining techniques for providing more effective and targeted feedback to teachers.
- Developing strategic teacher learning plans designed for immediate impact.
Applying Knowledge in Real-World Settings
Beyond the larger group sessions, the Academy emphasizes embedded learning – opportunities to apply new knowledge and skills in practical, small-group settings. Activities include:
- Conducting student learning walkthroughs to assess classroom dynamics.
- Observing how students experience instruction firsthand.
- Collecting concrete, bias-free qualitative data to inform decision-making.
The Minnesota Instructional Leadership Academy represents a significant investment in the development of school leaders, promising to drive positive change and advance equitable outcomes for all students.
