UWA’s Dr. Celeste Wheat publishes chapter in textbook

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—Dr. Celeste A. Wheat, an assistant professor of student affairs in the Department Instructional Leadership and Support at the University of West Alabama, recently co-authored a book chapter titled, “Tools to Change School Culture: Learning about Learning Together,” with two former professors at the University of South Mississippi, Dr. Maria Guilott and Dr. Gaylynn Parker.

Wheat explains that she worked with Guilott as a research graduate assistant while earning her Ph.D. at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss.

“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to join Drs. Guilott and Parker in contributing to a book that seeks to provide research-based, theoretically-grounded approaches to the diverse array of challenges that face 21st century educational leaders working within fields associated with K-20 educational leadership,” Wheat said.

The chapter will be published in the book titled, Comprehensive Problem Solving-Solving and Skill Development for Next Generation Leaders. Within the chapter, Wheat, Guilott, and Parker describe the practice of “walkthroughs” by instructional leaders.

This chapter examines the existing models of walkthroughs and compare them to Collegial Learning Walks.  The chapter then focuses on mission as foundational to any meaningful change and on the stages of learning as key to instructional design considering their influence on tried and tested classroom practice. Finally, the chapter takes a close look at Collegial Learning Walks and their impact on learning as documented in schools and districts on a national and international level.