Navigating Leadership Drift

by Michael McDowell, Cale Birk

This book provides doable steps leaders can take to lead from the middle to ensure rigorous learning , and support teacher teams on making an observable impact.

We are losing leaders in our schools.

Given the demands that are put on today’s schools and the number of hats leaders feel they are supposed to wear, the bigger surprise is that we haven’t lost more. But in many ways, school leaders are their own well-meaning worst they try to be everything to everyone all the time, which takes them away from the work they are supposed to be doing. They begin to drift.

Avoid drifting toward being the “knower” or the “doer” and instead lead others to solve problems using clear evidence to move the needle substantially for kids. This book provides leaders with the research, practical guidance, and hands on tools, to ensure everyone gets better at getting better in their practices and the outcomes we care about.

Throughout this book, leaders will find vignettes, reflective questions, and examples to avoid the drift, or if you fall in, get back out, and lead in the most complex yet rewarding profession in the world. We hope this book becomes that symbolic tow truck that allows you to be the leader that helps those they lead be the best at getting better.

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Michael McDowell, Ed.D. is the Superintendent of the Ross School District. Most recently, he served as the Associate Superintendent of Instructional and Personnel Services at the Tamalpais Union High School District. During his tenure, the Tamalpais Union High School District was recognized by the Marzano Research Laboratories as one of the top highly reliable organizations in the United States, and schools within the district received recognitions by the US News and World Report, and honored with California Distinguished Schools accolades.

Prior to his role as a central office administrator, Dr. McDowell served as the Principal of North Tahoe High School, a California Distinguished School. Prior to administration, Dr. McDowell was a leadership and instructional coach for the New Tech Network supporting educators in designing, implementing, and enhancing innovative schools across the country. Before engaging in the nonprofit sector, Dr. McDowell created and implemented an environmental science and biology program at Napa New Technology High School, infusing 1:1 technology, innovative teaching and assessment, and leveraging student voice in the classroom. Additionally, Dr. McDowell, taught middle school math and science in Pacifica, CA.

Dr. McDowell is a national presenter, speaking on instruction, learning, leadership and innovation. He has provided professional development services to large school districts, State Departments of Education, and higher education. In addition, he was a former National Faculty member for the Buck Institute of Education and a key thought leader in the inception of their leadership work in scaling innovation in instructional methodologies. His expertise in design and implementation is complimented by his scholarly approach to leadership, learning, and instruction.

He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Redlands and an Ed.D. from the University of La Verne. He received departmental honors for his work in Environmental Science and was awarded the Tom Fine Creative Leadership Award for his doctoral work at the University of La Verne. He has also completed certification programs through Harvard University, the California Association of School Business Officials, the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, and Cognition Education. He holds both a California single subject teaching credential and an administrative credential.