Unmistakable Impact: A Partnership Approach for Dramatically Improving Instruction

by Jim Knight

A focused approach to school improvement that hits the mark

This book simplifies the process for becoming an Impact School through targeted, consistent professional learning that is done with teachers, not to teachers. Award-winning author Jim Knight provides tangible tools for translating staff members’ joy of learning into high-leverage practices that achieve dramatic results. Characteristics of Impact Schools

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Professional Development

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer Brokofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this quote. When teachers stop learning, so do students.

[Alabama Best Practices Center · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Knight's latest book expands on his research and thinking about coaching. Centered around partnerships, Knight advocates for proven coaching techniques such as relationship building through dialogue and trust and meeting your client "where they are" currently. He revisits the "Big 4" in coaching (classroom management, instruction, content, and formative assessment). And, he devotes an entire chapter to what he calls "workshops," which is packed full of useful advice, resources, and ideas. Knight calls upon Medina's research that shows adult attention span waivers after 10 minutes. Accordingly, he suggests meaningful interactive protocols interspered with content delivery (the protocols should reinforced the content and provide opportunities for reflection).

A very good read and useful book, particularly for principals and those who develop and deliver professional learning opportunities.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book by Jim Knight. Lots of good ideas that I can use when moving forward in my career as an instructional coach or administrator.

[Wendie Barney Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was one recommended to me to read on helping to improve instruction within a building. Each chapter broke down what was needed to be successful for different steps including workshops, instructional coaching, creating intensive learning teams and making sure that communication is occurring through every step of the process and for everyone involved. The author also made great recommendations for other books to read along with websites to look at to help with various activities.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! Mr. Knight gives us his formula for a school improvement plan that is logical and integrates well with any institution. I love his partnership approach! My favorite chapter is Workshops That Make an Impact. It transformed my last presentation. I will go back to this book again and again.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful, 360 degree view of what an Impact School looks like from all roles, principal, workshop leads, admin, instructional support, etc.

Highly advise for schools looking to streamline improvement plans and implement instructional coaching with fidelity to their SIP

[SarahHROM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book for anyone in a coaching or leadership role in education.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff, though not a book I'll be pressing into the hands of fellow teachers, mostly because it is of a more theoretical bent, explaining how we can turn our schools into what Knight calls Impact Schools. One way is to embrace the "Big Four" and focus on behavior (classroom management), planning of content, delivery of instruction, and assessment for learning (formative, as we call it). It all intrigued me enough to order his most recent title, High-Impact Instruction: A Framework for Great Teaching, which promises to focus on classroom applications -- my bread and butter, thank you.

One thing you have to give Knight is his scholarly approach. I've read books where sources are named and even explained in the copy, but this tops all. Knight is a reading machine who clearly lives and breaths not only research on pedagogy but on what drives humans. Meaning: He also mentions books the business world resorts to when trying to get the most out of its managers, books like Peter Senge's The Fifth Discipline and Atul Gawande's Checklist Manifesto.

While teachers may find material of interest here -- teachers big on an overall game plan and interested in instigating a "vision" for their schools -- the book really speaks to principals and instructional coaches (essential, according to Knight, for help in following up professional development). In fact, PD is the lifeblood of an impact school. As Knight so neatly puts it, "When teachers stop learning, so do students." And yet, in many schools, PD budgets are anemic or wasted one-day wonders, where teachers dutifully attend, nod their heads in agreement (or boredom), then return to business as usual in their classrooms. Ah, education!

Each chapter ends with two features, one called "To Sum Up" where Knight goes over the key details of the chapter and one called "Going Deeper" where Knight gives recommendations on titles you can pursue if you're intrigued by the highlights he mentioned from the work in that particular chapter. As any bibliophile/teacher book addict can attest, the "Going Deeper" sections are dangerous ground. One could easily go to an on-line bookstore and drop hundreds of bucks one-clicking interesting titles in the interest of "going deep" (Hail Mary, anyone?).

Chapter headings:

1. Impact Schools (an overview of where your school could be but probably isn't)
2. Partnership (the essential elements of gaining critical mass from the majority of personnel by making teachers partners in, not subjects to, carrying out reform... without it, you're going nowhere fast)
3. Principals (the linchpin of any move, principals are called by Knight "first learners" who must walk the talk themselves... otherwise, who's going to follow them?)
4. Instructional Coaching (if you're an IC or hope to be one, here in a nutshell are all the psychological and logistical keys to success... a wonderfully rewarding job that isn't easy and isn't for everyone)
5. Workshops That Make an Impact (what? that speaker I paid big bucks for didn't make an impact? duh....)
6. Intensive Learning Teams (all together now... to the tune of "United We Stand," please...)
7. Partnership Communication (a little self-help here on how to be a "partner" in school... some psychology and science come to the fore as Knight taps expertise on the dynamics of listening, asking good questions, finding common ground, etc.)

Link to Knight's latest, which I ordered and will review in the near future: High-Impact Instruction: A Framework for Great Teaching

[Darcy Leech · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first year technology instructional coach in a district new to me, this book was imperative in helping me build positive relationships with my coworkers to help me do my job. It doesn't matter what I know about technology if I don't succeed in helping my teachers feel comfortable around me. This book helped me not only know certain things, but reading it during the first months of my job helped orient my priorities in the right direction to build meaningful connections so that my knowledge had a chance to matter. I'd reread it to help me keep in mind how important it is to value the human aspect of helping teachers learn how to enhance their curriculum with technology.

[Daleine]

I learned a lot of interesting information reading this book. It talks about working in schools and how to be partners and make all people involved feel successful. There are great ideas of how to make schools more successful. It gives suggestions on how principals and Instructional coaches can improve their schools by improving their relationship with the teachers and each other.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have an instructional coach in your school, this might be the perfect book for you. If you don't, well...there are still lots of good ideas provided by Jim Knight to lead effective professional learning and move a school forward.

[Julie Aquilina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm becoming a bit obsessed with reading Jim Knight books. Every time I read them, something relates immediately to my daily practice and I wonder, "what would I have done if it wasn't reading this book right now?"

[Erin]

Great resource for coaching.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful!

[Bibiana Rolston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every administrator should read this book. It emphasizes the importance of giving teachers a voice in creating school success plans.

[Tom Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring books I've read in many years.

[Dawn Fielder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a great look at school transformation. It truly respects the teacher and urges administrators to treat teachers as experts.

[Molly Dunbar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat dry. But offered a host of excellent resources for coaching and working with school leaders and teachers.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots and lots of information. Lots of quotes from other books. Set up in a way that is easy to read and find information again.

[Kisha Tolbert Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Every coach should read this book.

[Jay Salikin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great model for coaching.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good observations for how leaders in any organization can design their workplaces for all people to be successful.