Moving to Excellence: The Hendy Instructional Excellence Rubric Implementation Roadmap

Having a great tool is the first step to ensuring a vision for high quality instruction drives all coaching and support for teachers. Implementation, however, is really where the rubber really meets the road. In our 13 years of experience designing and implementing coaching and observation systems, we’ve found that the highest quality tool doesn’t mean much without careful implementation and change management. 

Are you considering rolling out the Hendy Instructional Excellence rubric next fall? If yes, the time to start planning is now. Backwards planning with a focus on change management and implementation will help you ensure that your teachers and leaders maximize what the rubric can offer.

Step 1: Define the Criteria for Success 

First, define what success looks like. Why are you implementing the Hendy Rubric? What do you want to be true for teachers and leaders as you implement? 

By the end of the first half of the 2026-2027 school year, your goal could be for every teacher to:

• Understand the domains, indicators and performance levels of the rubric.
• Receive quality feedback from instructional leaders that is grounded in the rubric’s language.
• Feel empowered, not evaluated, by the rubric’s use.

Success for every leader and teacher coach could be to:

• Internalize the four domains, indicators, and performance levels of the rubric, and be fluent in the rubric’s language when used in coaching teachers. 
• Use the rubric in assessing instruction and identifying highest leverage steps the teacher can take to improve.
• Feel empowered to recognize excellent teaching as described in the rubric, and support all teachers to demonstrate excellence in their classrooms.

Step 2: The Immediate Actions (Fall 2025 – January 2026)

Start with the end in mind, then focus on the now. The actions you take in the next few months will determine the success of your entire plan.

• Fall 2025 (Now): Study and Internalize.
  • Get to know the rubric: You must deeply understand the rubric’s philosophy and structure. Identify how each domain connects to your school’s current goals and vision. Use the rubric to guide your own observations of classroom practice. 
  • Identify potential challenges: Reflect on your school’s culture. Are there existing tools or processes that might conflict with the Hendy Rubric? Are there any teachers or teams that might be resistant? Thinking through these now will help you proactively address them later.
  • Initial conversations: Have one-on-one or small-group conversations with key teacher leaders and members of your leadership team to gauge interest and gather initial feedback. Start with the change agents who will help you champion this change.

• Winter 2025-2026 (November-January): Strategize the Rollout.
  • Decide how you’ll use the rubric: The rubric can be used purely as a development tool, driving feedback and coaching for teachers. The rubric can also be used as an evaluative tool, driving accountability for teachers. It can also be used both ways. Decide how you’ll use the rubric in your school. 
  • Secure buy-in: Present the rubric to your team. Explain the “why”—its focus on equity, academic rigor, and social-emotional learning.
  • Communicate the vision: Introduce the idea of a new instructional tool in staff meetings. Frame it as an exciting opportunity for professional growth and instructional improvement.
  • Test the rubric: Invite teams to take the rubric for a spin. Choose one domain or one indicator, and observe a classroom together. Discuss what you see in the classroom and how it aligns to that indicator or domain. Help your colleagues get a feel for the rubric.
  • Budget for the change: Allocate funds for professional development, stipends for your design team, and potential support from Hendy. Reach out if you want more information about how we can support you!

Step 3: The Critical Milestones (Spring/Summer 2026)

Spring and summer are the critical times to create and implement your plan to prepare for fall..

• Spring 2026 (February-May): Build the Foundation.
  • Form a design team and create a plan: Create a small, representative group of teachers and leaders to co-create the implementation plan. This ensures the plan is practical and widely accepted.
  • Training plan: The design team should outline the professional development sequence. This plan should include training on the rubric’s content and how to use it for observation and feedback.
  • Pilot Program: Identify a small group to pilot the rubric, or even just one domain or indicator. The group should use the rubric according to the plan created by the design team.
  • Training materials: Create training materials to introduce and calibrate leaders and teachers to the rubric. Review Hendy’s training plan options to find out ways we can help.

• Summer 2026 (June-August): Intensive Training & Calibration.
  • Summer training: Host a summer training session for all faculty. Engage teachers and leaders with case studies, video examples of teaching, and group calibration exercises where they practice scoring based on the rubric.
  • Resource Preparation: Ensure all supporting documents, forms, and observation tools are ready for use on day one of the school year.

By starting today, you’re building the foundation for a sustainable culture of instructional excellence. The backward plan ensures that your Fall 2026 implementation is the culmination of a well-executed and collaborative effort.

Do you want help with implementation planning? Need support in training and norming for your teachers and leaders? Reach out to set up a call!