Transforming Professional Practice: A Framework for Effective Leadership

In this updated 2nd edition, the authors created a blueprint for educational leaders to arrive at an understanding of the complexity of shared leadership for achieving reflective school improvement. The dispositions for leadership success are embedded in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL, 2015) created by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) and the NELP standards (2018) created by a committee for National Educational Leadership Preparation approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The NELP and PSEL standards are aligned to provide specificity around performance expectations for beginning level and district leaders. To support these key standards Transforming Professional Practice: A Framework for Effective Leadership 2nd Editionadvances the educational conversation by its keen focus on effective professional growth and development. This framework recognizes that the uniqueness of school leadership, whether at the central office level, school building level or department level, is dependent upon effective leaders who are self-reflective and developmentally attuned to professional growth opportunities.

Kimberly T. Strike, PhD is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Concordia University-Chicago, River Forest, Illinois. She earned her Doctorate (PhD) from Marquette University in the areas of Curriculum, Instruction, Administration and Supervision with an emphasis on Educational Technology. Dr. Strike has authored Trouble-free Transitions for New Teachers (2006-2007; leveled primary, intermediate and secondary), Performance and Accountability in Today’s Classroom: A Framework for Effective Mentoring (2010) and co-authored Mentoring the Educational Leader: A Framework for Success (2011).

Paul Sims, PhD is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Concordia University Chicago. He received his PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. He is co-author of Supervision and Evaluation for Learning and Growth (2015).

Susan Mann, MS is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership at Concordia University-Chicago. She earned her MS in Clinical and Diagnostic Reading and Advanced Coursework, Loyola University Chicago, Graduate School of Education, specializing in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Robert K. Wilhite, EdD is Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at Concordia University-Chicago. He earned his EdD in Curriculum, Instruction and Administration from Loyola University Chicago. He is coauthor of the Rowman and Littlefield books, The Teacher Leader: Core Competencies and Strategies (2014) and Supervision and Improvement of Learning: Professional Development Strategies for Teacher Improvement (2015).