Modern School Leadership That Lasts Beyond the Buzzwords

Modern school leadership can feel overwhelming. Rising expectations, shrinking time, and constant demands create pressure that wears down even experienced leaders.

That’s why I wrote Better Tomorrow Than You Today. It’s for those who want school improvement to stick, not just survive another cycle of initiatives.

This book shares real stories from schools in Australia and internationally. Each chapter is a reflection grounded in practice. It is aimed at helping you take action, not just read theory.

Driving real change

Too often, we chase surface-level fixes. A new strategy here, a framework there, yet the core structures of the school remain untouched.

The book argues for second-order change. This means reshaping how your school thinks, learns, and leads. It focuses on building conditions where improvement is part of daily life.

Empowering teachers

Improvement starts with teachers. The book explores how modern school leadership can create job-embedded learning, inquiry-based practice, and shared growth.

Rather than delivering PD, it’s about building a culture where teachers study their impact, test their ideas, and grow together.

Implementing personalised learning

The factory model of education no longer fits. Today’s students need teaching that responds to their needs, interests, and pace.

Through practical examples, I show how schools can redesign timetables, assessments, and team structures to support personalised learning in real ways.

Building a strong foundation

Lasting school improvement isn’t luck, it’s built on five clear pillars:

• High quality teaching and learning
• Supporting and motivating staff
• Servant leadership and community
• Aligned systems and structures
• A focus on learning and wellbeing

Each pillar includes prompts to assess what’s working, what’s fragile, and what to address next.

The leader’s mindset

A key theme across the book is that leaders must grow, too. Modern school leadership demands study, reflection, and a clear sense of purpose.

By staying grounded, open, and learning-focused, leaders influence others and help shape schools that get better every day.

If you want a practical resource grounded in lived experience, Better Tomorrow Than You Today is for you.

👉 Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Tomorrow-Than-You-Today/dp/B09DN3BV4F

Final thought

What’s one area of school improvement you most want to strengthen this year?

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Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field.

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Author: Dr Jake Madden

I’m Jake Madden (Dip Teach; B.Ed; Grad Dip: Leadership; M. Ed: Leadership; EdD; FACEL; MACE), and I’ve had the privilege of working in education for over thirty years as a teacher and principal. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on supporting teachers to build their capacity, developing learning approaches that respond to the needs of today’s world, creating flexible learning spaces for 21st-century learners, and designing curriculum that encourages global mindedness. I’m particularly passionate about the concept of teacher-as-researcher, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to this area by sharing my experiences through books and journal articles. My work reflects what I’ve learned from leading and navigating educational change, and I’m always eager to continue learning from others in the field. View all posts by Dr Jake Madden