Chapter 8: The Core Work of Educational Leadership: Using Formative Instructional Practices to Support the Needs of All Students

Brian McNulty is currently a partner at Creative Leadership Solutions. He has served as the Vice President for Leadership Development at the Leadership and Learning Center and as the Vice President for Field Services at Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) International. He is the author of over 40 publications, such as Leaders Make It Happen! An Administrator’s Guide to Data Teams (McNulty & Besser, 2011) and School Leadership That Works (Marzano, Waters, & McNulty, 2005).

His interest in inclusive practices and leadership stems from his extensive work experience. McNulty began his career as a preschool special education teacher in Washington, DC. Early in his career, he also ran a fully inclusive preschool program at the National Children’s Center, a demonstration center for inclusive practices. After working for George Washington University’s Regional Resource Center, he moved to Colorado to be the state’s first Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator and to continue to teach and model inclusive practices. McNulty continued to advance in his career, demonstrating best practices as a Special Education Director and Assistant Commissioner in the Colorado Department of Education, and as the Assistant Superintendent for the Commerce City schools in Colorado.