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Why Principals Must Be Instructional Leaders First ft. Chelsea Gallagher | Lessons Learned | Ep 13
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What does it really mean to be an instructional leader?
“Systems over goals. If you want instructional leadership to be a focus—create a system to make it happen. We can get bogged down in the small fires…because if we don’t, [they can] become a whole wildfire. But when we create a system to focus on the things that need to be a priority—like instructional leadership—then we no longer have to say, ‘Ooh, how do I find time for that?’ You're doing it. You've created it already.” -Chelsea GallagherIn this episode of Lessons Learned, host Matt sits down with Chelsea Gallagher, Principal of Mount Spokane High School and the 2025 Washington High School Principal of the Year, to explore the role principals play as instructional leaders.
Under Chelsea’s leadership, Mount Spokane has become a beacon in the state—marked by rising graduation rates, stronger test scores, and thriving student career engagement. She shares how she’s focusing on building systems that foster continuous growth.
From setting aside time for instructional support to shifting schedules to guide more students into four years of math, Chelsea illustrates how structured systems can help leaders stay focused on impact while fostering trust, consistency, and continuous growth.
Together, we explore key topics such as:
- Why work-based learning is so important for building relevance for students
- How protecting time for instructional support drives trust, buy-in, and alignment
- Why sustainable leadership requires systems rather than goals alone
- The role intentional scheduling plays in preparing students for postsecondary success—and how small steps can lead to systemic gains
Connect with our guest:
- Website: https://mtspokanehs.mead354.org/
Ways to tune in:
26 episodes
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