Leaders are shifting instructional practices by conducting learning walks focused on students who are least well served in schools. By centering observations on focus student experiences, leaders gain actionable insights, refine feedback to teachers, and strengthen their shared understanding of how these young people are experiencing learning.
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Growing instructional leadership and sharpening the equity lens
Nov 28, 2023
Leaders at the Medford School District have been working with CEL to improve their instructional leadership and sharpen their equity lens since 2022. Through the Instructional Leadership Academy (ILA), leaders are learning more about gathering non-judgmental classroom observation data, understanding the current state of teaching and learning, and giving strengths-based, actionable feedback to teachers.
Recent Posts
Q&A with Dr. Susan Enfield, UW CEL’s New Executive Director
Jun 30, 2025
Q: What initially drew you to education? Dr. Enfield: I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. From as early as age 7, I was “teaching” my stuffed animals and dolls. By the time I became a high school English teacher, I knew I was doing what I was put on...
The Essential Role of Coaches in Advancing Instructional Leadership
Jun 5, 2025
Instructional leadership is not a solo endeavor—it is a collective effort that thrives on collaboration between school leaders and instructional coaches. While principals and district leaders set the vision for high-quality teaching and learning, instructional coaches...
5 Tips for Classroom Observing: An Educational Leader’s Guide
Apr 15, 2025
For over two decades, the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) has partnered with educational leaders across the country who are observing teaching and learning in classrooms. We see time and again that effective classroom observations can...
Welcoming Dr. Susan Enfield as CEL’s Next Executive Director
Apr 7, 2025
We are excited to share that Dr. Susan Enfield will be joining the team at the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) as our new Executive Director. A respected and visionary leader, Susan brings deep expertise in educational leadership, a...
The Power of Rural Leaders: Building Schools Where Students Thrive
Apr 2, 2025
We at UW CEL are excited to announce the launch of the Aspiring Leaders Project, a new three-year initiative supported by a generous grant from College Spark Washington. We’re partnering with Educational Service Districts (ESDs) to ensure that rural communities have...
