Teaching is as much art as science.

Teaching is as much art as science. In essence, it is a transfer of SOMETHING (knowledge, skill, information) from person to person. Therefore the person is essential. The ideas a few years ago of making curriculum “teacher proof” was, in a word, insulting to teachers. I have known of overwhelmed teachers who resorted to videos/movies every day. Educational as the movies may have been, the students didn’t learn well. There has to be a back and forth with a real human who discerns through the student’s responses what they got and what they didn’t get, and then clarifies.

Each person communicates/teaches/transfers information a little differently. That is why I say there is an art involved. And each of us can observe the others and reflect on how others do what we are trying to do, and draw from it. This is why having peers as instructional leaders is key. They are doing the same curriculum, the same units, and, perhaps even the same lesson plans. I love the idea of teachers as instructional leaders..

The idea of the principal being the coordinator of teachers as instructional leaders is fabulous. The role of the principal centers around setting a tone. For example, “Are collaborative characteristics such as mutual respect, tolerance, acceptance, commitment, courage, sharing and teaming in evidence in interaction between principal supervisors and teachers?” (Handbook of Instructional Leadership, p. 6).
When all is said and done, this may be the major role that an “instructional coordinator” needs to take. Something like a coach or a ref, rather than a main player.