Book excerpt: Instructional leadership begins in the classroomDonald B. Bartalo reveals the experiences of school leaders and teachers who have discovered that meaningful school improvement does not necessarily come from the top-it comes from effective teaching and leaders who support it. Based on eight fundamental tenets, the text features a clear how-to process, success stories, and methods for bridging the teaching gap between the kinds of teaching needed for the 21st century and that which is found in most schools. Special features include:An interactive writing style that "coaches" educatorsPowerful "what to do" and "how to do it" toolsCase illustrations and success storiesProtocols for leading collaborative inquiryJournal reflectionsLeadership team activitiesThis practical guide's step-by-step approach is easy to follow, research-based, and steeped in common sense. Closing the Teaching Gap is the next best thing to having a seasoned coach give you the playbook for becoming a successful instructional leader.