Dr. Jim Knight talks with Alyson Carpenter, at left, and Dr. Melissa Coman at an instructional coaching seminar at the University of Kansas. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Jim Knight, author of “Unmistakable Impact,” will speak to North Alabama educators at James Clemens High School on Friday.

Alabama A&M University’s Regional In-Service Center planned and sponsored the event, in conjunction with Athens State University and University of North Alabama in-service centers. Organizers have invited schools teams across the region.

“Dr. Knight’s book, ‘Unmistakable Impact,’ and his guidance have (led) the Instructional Partners Network, to which all Madison City Schools belong,” Alyson Carpenter said. Carpenter works as instructional partner at James Clemens. Madison’s principals, assistant principals and instructional partners have studied this book.

Knight advocates a partnership approach, which the State Department of Education and many Alabama districts have adopted. Knight’s approach “has made a positive impact across the state and our district. Teachers are encouraged to be leaders and help guide decision-making at all levels in this model,” Carpenter said.

With this partnership, changes to school culture make coming to work a pleasure, she said.

Friday morning’s session will focus on Knight’s book, “High Impact Instruction.” That afternoon, members of the Instructional Partners Network will discuss “Unmistakable Impact” with Knight.

“Leaders from the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) will provide sessions for teachers, instructional coaches and administrators,” Carpenter said.

Knight works as a research associate in the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He also directs the Kansas Coaching Project. For almost 20 years, he has studied professional learning and instructional coaching.

Knight and center colleagues have explored the importance of the amount and quality of dialogue during training. With this ‘partnership learning,’ training concentrates on memorable conversations.

For more information, visit instructionalcoach.org or bestpracticescenter.org.