Invest in building talent. The best principals don’t just happen. When new principals are handed the keys and left to make decisions about their schools without adequate, sustained support, what happens? Too often, school improvement efforts don’t gain full traction, principals often give up and leave and real student gains remain out-of-reach. Impact Coaching bucks the notion of leaving principals to learn the ropes on their own. This book offers a solid, sustainable, and laser-sharp focus on instructional leadership and helps leaders hone, model and lead new learning through deliberate practice by: Engaging in rich, rigorous, and reflective open-to-learning conversations with both coaches and colleagues to improve instructional leadership practices Leveraging their 5 Big Winner Practices for highest impact Using Linking Walk templates to apply new ideas to real scenarios that improve lead learner practices This book could be your single most impactful investment toward eventual student achievement. "The authors do a great job of sharing the benefits of coaching and elaborating on how the coaching partnership should and could look. The book is very relevant, clearly based on research, and has some great checklists to further clarify the recommended steps." –Kathy Rhodes, Principal Hinton Elementary, Hinton, IA "Impact Coaching provides school leaders with the tools to turn opportunity into action. Educational leaders possess an incredible capacity to influence the system and impact student learning. Ray and Julie Smith present strategies for focusing on leadership practices that maximize impact on student learning and achievement. This book will re-ignite your commitment to creating effective change, bolster your confidence to persist through challenges, and renew your motivation to reach your fullest potential. The authors will simultaneously inspire your soul and challenge your mind!" –Russell J. Quaglia, President/Founder Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations