You Don't Have to Be Bad to Get Better: A Leader's Guide to Improving Teacher Quality

Take your school to the next level!

What are the attributes of strong instructional leaders? How are they able to effect changes in teaching practice that has remained virtually the same for decades? This practical guide is about school leadership, but with a laser-like focus on what it takes to develop, support, and sustain quality teaching in any school environment.

Grounded in research and over a decade of experience working in schools throughout the country, You Don’t Have to Be Bad to Get Better offers school leaders at every level the guidance, specific tools, and resources they need to increase teacher―and student―success. School leaders will develop:

• Strategies for transitioning from a culture of fear and criticism to a culture of learning
• The tools needed to hire, grow, and improve the quality of teachers under their leadership
• A blueprint for engaging teachers in their own professional growth
• A deep understanding of the role of district office personnel in improving both teaching and learning

Research shows that the most important factor in student learning is the quality of the teacher in the classroom. Bring out the best in your teachers through strong instructional leadership and watch student learning soar!

"I′m already thinking of how to incorporate what I′ve learned from the book into my practice and staff professional development!"
―Frank Chiki, Principal
Chamiza Elementary School, Albuquerque, NM

"McKay has developed a user-friendly guide to thinking about and assessing current practice in an effort to move everyone forward. This is a valuable text for study by collaborative teacher and administrator groups who are interested in improving their professional practice."
―Bernadette Cleland, Co-Founder
Teaching & Learning Solutions

Learn more about Candi McKay′s PD offerings


Candi McKay provides customized consultation and training related to teacher quality and professional learning to school districts and state service agencies around the country. McKay works closely with teachers and school leaders at all levels to develop their capacity for ongoing reflection and professional growth.

A frequent national speaker on the topics of teacher evaluation, professional conversation, and teacher learning, Candi has also provided professional development for the nationally recognized Framework for Teaching for over a decade. After leaving the classroom, she began her work as a national trainer for the Educational Testing Service, where she facilitated training programs associated with the Framework for Teaching. During this time, she also served as an adjunct faculty member at Nazareth College of Rochester, New York, where she supervised students in the Master of Science in Education degree program. As an educator and teacher leader, Candi designed and delivered professional development for teachers, participated in curriculum planning and served as a mentor and peer coach.

McKay is a co-author of the book, Implementing the Framework for Teaching, an ASCD Action Tool (ASCD, 2009). She also developed the online professional development course, Talk About Teaching, based on Charlotte Danielson′s book and available through Corwin and School Improvement Network.

Check out Candi′s blog: http://mckayconsulting.org/blog/.
And her April 2013 podcast http://www.schoolbriefing.com/4460/a-school-leaders-guide-to-improving-teacher-quality/?code=corwin