Unmistakable Impact: A Partnership Approach for Dramatically Improving Instruction

Our district recently appointed me as instructional coach (a position we have not had before). Without a predecessor, I had little direction to begin this new position and Jim Knight took care of that with this book. His advice, resources, and guidance along the coaching process have been invaluable and it all began for me with Unmistakable Impact. There are a few editing errors in this edition, but they in no way take away from the quality of the information provided. This has been the jumping-off text for me and I keep a copy of the book right next to my desk for reference. I have also since ordered two more of his books and his High Impact Instruction will be the anchor text for our professional development next year. Everyone on our staff is receiving a copy.

Provides an amazing perspective on education and change. Once I started reading, I could not put it down.

Good stuff, though maybe not for every teacher, 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!I especially like the book's emphasis on simplicity. Many districts have a school improvement plan, but I dare you to interview teachers to find out exactly what's on it. I daresay most will come up empty and some might recall one or maybe two points tops. Knight believes a one-page target document should replace the SIP -- a brief piece that lists goals teachers and principal have agreed upon, goals not only for teachers but for students. These will obviously be restricted to the most important goals to the school, ones that all hands must be on deck for. From that point on, it's up to the principal, the instructional coaches, and the teachers themselves to keep each other on target for the good of the school's students. The one-pager will out and in clear sight in every room.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.)Overall, a great starting point for educational professionals who genuinely want to start changing their schools and need a blueprint to do it.

Jim Knight has changed education with his publications! This book should be read by all teacher leaders and all building leaders. In a deliberate and well-planned sequence, Knight provides you with a methodology for making positive school change to improve student outcomes. This book is a must-have!

In clear, direct language, Knight describes the way to develop learning environments that make learning happen through partnerships, equitable relationships, community and clear targets. Working with instructional coaches is key to supporting lasting and effective change in schools.

The concepts and ideas in this text are easy to implement and have GREAT impact. A wonderful read that will take your school to far places

Product was shipped quickly and was exactly as described.

UPDATE: I began reading this book and discovered it is not new! There is highlighting throughout the entire book! I'm using this book for grad school and want to highlight my own important information as it pertains to my studies. I am super disappointed and will be returning it for a NEW book.I purchased this book new, and it came wrapped in plastic. The plastic was ripped open on the seam at the bottom, but I didn't think anything of it until I noticed sticky spots and strange scratches on the cover. I have many of Jim Knight's books and will be reading this one happily for grad school. I will update my review later based on the content of the book as that should be the main determining factor in the number of stars given.