Introduction.

Chapter 1: Set Big Goals.

Foundations of Effective Goal Setting.

Inspiring Strong Results with Measurable Outcomes.

Inspiring High Performance with High Expectations.

Leading with Students' Needs and Interests.

The Qualities of Effective Big Goals in Action.

What Measurable Academic Progress Should My Students Achieve?

What Traits and Mindsets Will Best Serve My Students?

What Pathways to Student Opportunity Should Inform My Big Goal?

What Student Interests and Motivations Could Shape the Big Goal?

Conclusion: Key Ideas and Next Questions.

Key Ideas.

Next Questions.

"Why Do People Set Big Goals?" from Ms. Lora's Story.

Chapter 2: Invest Students and Their Families.

Key Elements of Investment.

Shaping Students' Mindsets.

Collaborating with Students' Families and Influencers.

Strategies for Investing Students.

Creating a Welcoming Environment to Increase Student Investment.

Developing a Culture of Achievement.

Investing Students Through Instruction and Learning.

Conclusion: Key Ideas and Next Questions.

Key Ideas.

Next Questions.

"What If You're Wrong?" from Ms. Lora's Story.

Chapter 3: Plan Purposefully.

Foundations of Purposeful Planning.

Developing Your Vision of Success.

Translating Your Vision into a Well-Designed Assessment.

Mapping Out a Vision-Aligned Plan by Imagining Yourself Implementing It.

Three Forms of Classroom Plans.

Long Term Plans.

Lesson Plans.

Classroom Management Plans.

Conclusion: Key Ideas and Next Questions.

Key Ideas.

Next Questions.

"It Still Tastes Good." from Ms. Lora's Story.

Chapter 4: Execute Effectively.

Key Elements of Effective Execution.

Doing Well What Must Be Done.

Insisting on Seeing Reality.

Adjusting Course as Circumstances Change.

What Effective Execution Looks Like in the Classroom.

Effectively Communicating Key Ideas.

Coordinating Student Practice.

Checking for Understanding.

Tracking Progress.

Maximizing Efficiency with Organization and Routine.

Asserting Authority.

Conclusion: Key Ideas and Next Questions.

Key Ideas.

Next Questions.

"Light Monitor. Form Collector. Plant Manager." from Ms. Lora's Story.

Chapter 5: Continuously Increase Effectiveness.

Foundations of Continuous Improvement.

Effective Teaching Is a Learnable Skill.

"Data may not tell us the whole truth, but it certainly doesn't lie".

We Drive Our Own Improvement.

No Teacher Is an Island.

A Cycle of Reflection That Leads to Increased Effectiveness.

Phase One: Analyzing Outcomes.

Phase Two: Discerning Causes.

Phase Three: Identifying and Implementing Solutions.

Conclusion: Key Ideas and Next Questions.

Key Ideas.

Next Questions.

"This Was My Summer School Seat." from Ms. Lora's Story.

Chapter 6: Work Relentlessly.

We Control Our Students' Success and Failure.

Key Elements of Working Relentlessly.

Persistence.

Maintaining High Expectations.

Expanding Time and Resources.

Expanding Your Influence.

Sustaining This Work Over Time.

Conclusion: Key Ideas and Next Questions.

Key Ideas.

Next Questions.

"You Are Going to Be Totally Handsome in Them." from Ms. Lora's Story.

Conclusion.

Afterword: T eaching As Leadership and the Movement for Educational Equity (Wendy Kopp).

Appendix A: Teaching As Leadership Rubric.

Appendix B: About Teach For America.

Appendix C: Our Approach to Teacher Development.

Appendix D: How We Learn from Our Teachers.

Teacher Biographies.

Notes.

About the Author.

Acknowledgments.

Index.