Instructional Leadership Habits: Five Daily Moves That Drive Rigorous Learning

Michael McDowell, EdD, is an educator and author known for his work on project-based learning, instructional clarity, and developing student expertise. He has served as a public school educator for eighteen years in roles including classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction, and superintendent, and has been recognized for district leadership on student performance and student well-being. He is co-owner of Hinge Education and has also served on boards, worked with non-profit organizations, and provided keynotes, workshops, and professional learning programs for educators internationally.

McDowell is the author of several professional books for educators, including Rigorous PBL by Design: Three Shifts for Developing Confident and Competent Learners, The Lead Learner: Improving Clarity, Coherence, and Capacity for All, Developing Expert Learners: A Roadmap for Growing Confident and Competent Students, Rigor Redefined: Ten Teaching Habits for Surface, Deep, and Transfer Learning, and The Attention Gap: Instructional Routines That Heighten Focus, Boost Engagement, and Deepen Learning. His work focuses on integrating high-impact instructional routines, supporting students’ movement from surface to deep and transfer learning, and helping teachers and leaders build clarity, challenge,