School leaders juggle daily administrative and operational demands with their role as instructional leaders. They must create safe and inclusive environments, build staff collaboration, and retain top teaching talent in an ever-evolving landscape. Professional learning equips leaders with the tools to balance these challenges, fostering positive school climates and driving continuous improvement.
Effective leadership is critical in creating inclusive, engaging, and rigorous teaching and learning environments
Leadership accounts for up to one-quarter of total school effects on student achievement, the second-largest in-school factor influencing student success1
School leadership is the most important condition affecting teachers’ willingness to remain teaching at their school2
Increase in teacher engagement and student engagement when effective school leaders prioritize professional learning3
1 Wallace Foundation. (2004). “How Leadership Influences Student Learning.”
2 NASSP. (2013). “Leadership Matters: What the Research Says About the Importance of Principal Leadership”
3 Louis, K. S., & Wahlstrom, K. L. (2011). “Learning from Leadership: Investigating the Links to Improved Student Learning.”
Research confirms that coaching school leaders plays an essential role in student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
Enhances
Instructional focus
Coaching helps leaders prioritize attention on the core of teaching and learning — the real business of school. This reinvigorated focus enables them to actively support teachers in improving instructional practices and student learning experiences.
Strengthens
Practice
Today’s leaders are expected to be instructional facilitators, not just managers. Coaching and targeted professional learning sharpen how to support and mentor teachers, fostering a culture of instructional excellence throughout the school or district.
Encourages
Growth cultures
Quality support for school and district leaders instills a growth mindset, creating an environment where differences are embraced, challenges are viewed as opportunities for learning, and all students are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Promotes
Collaborative leadership
Coaching fosters the development of professional learning communities where leaders, teachers, and staff work together to create a dynamic instructional culture. This collaborative environment drives innovation, builds collective responsibility for student success, improves teacher morale, and, ultimately, a more positive school climate.
Supports
Evidence-based decisions
Coaching empowers leaders to use data to inform instructional strategies. This approach moves them beyond managing day-to-day tasks, encouraging decisions that directly enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
Our Optimal Learning Community principles ground NTC’s leadership capacity building and coaching. These conditions create positive, productive school climates that prioritize social and emotional learning for teachers and learners.
We partner with districts to support school administrators to become dynamic instructional leaders — building their capacity to align goals with the conditions for success for students and educators.
NTC’s targeted “learning walks” offer structured, non-evaluative processes to gather evidence of teaching and learning practices. Insights on student engagement, instructional strategies, and curriculum alignment offer snapshots across multiple settings to inform leadership decisions and drive instructional improvements.
NTC equips school and district leaders with the tools and data-driven approach to implement effective instructional leadership, manage change, and develop systems prioritizing professional learning and student success — ultimately improving teacher performance and student outcomes.
NTC’s communities of practice enable leaders to share promising and effective research-based strategies to drive the enabling conditions in schools. Leaders engage in problem-solving, feedback cycles, and observation that leads to more effective decision-making and instructional leadership.
NTC’s coaching enhances leadership effectiveness — our approach enables better teacher support, drives student learning, and creates more equitable learning. Leaders develop critical instructional leadership skills, improve decision-making, and foster optimal learning environments.
NTC equips early learning leaders with specialized training for Pre-K and Transitional Kindergarten. Focused on brain science and developmentally appropriate practices, we help leaders create environments that support young children’s unique needs, fostering growth and learning.
Aligned with district expectations and grounded in NTC’s proven leadership development strategies, we co-create mentoring programs to support aspiring and novice leaders with an emphasis on change management.
NTC strengthens alignment between school and district leadership goals through expert consultation and on-site coaching. Collaboration drives strategies to elevate instruction quality, student engagement, and professional learning.
What we saw and heard back from principals was ‘this is the best professional development I’ve ever had.’ When we asked them to tell us what they learned, what they would do differently, they had a whole list of things: ‘I would do this, I would do this, I would do this.’ They realized that coaching was a skill that they had to develop.
Explore how our leadership programs can empower your district’s leaders to drive lasting change. Inspire, equip and develop visionary leaders who can guide your district through today’s educational challenges.
