Empowering Tomorrow's School Leaders Today

This unique educational leadership project is a compilation of years of research study and experience. This contribution is to promote educational excellence in schools everywhere. Combining the knowledge that has been gained through decades of research study with daily experience, this project will support your novice principal leading to their success.

A large gap exists between the university study and the actual day to day practice. This project creates the platform to fill in the gaps between the university learned research study, the mandatory university based internship program, and the actual daily practice of both leading and managing a school. However, a question developed: Where does the novice principal turn for support to close this gap?

This Principal Leadership Academy uniquely combines the various agreed upon foundation of what experts consider essential in their programs with the actual daily experiences of a former principal. It is this combination that makes this leadership project different from any existing program. Nothing can replace the intense university research study or the years of actual experience, but for the novice principal in training, it provides an excellent starting foundation.

This Principal Leadership Academy journeys through the first year of a novice principal providing thirteen (13) weeks of Fall units entitled “The First 90 Days.” Each weekly unit reflects the current job of the novice principal, and the order of the units are flexible, created with the ability to make adjustments matching individual school district schedules. The titles of each weekly unit will be provided to the school district’s administration for approval, and changes to the unit order or topic will be made prior to the start of the project.

Each of the agreed upon weekly units will consist of three hours of both best practice discussions including current research as well as discussions of what the novice principal is experiencing. This project will begin in August, and work with continue for thirteen (13) weeks. The first semester will conclude with one review week summarizing the project accomplishments and future goals.

This project is not a replacement for any state or district leadership requirements nor does it count towards any college or university credit. This project is to best support the novice principal in their day to day routine including research study and mentorship from a former experienced principal and to promote educational excellence within the novice principal school setting.

School success begins at the top. The leadership of a school lays the foundation for the school year, and guides the school day by day. Many schools are failing. The reasons may or may not be known. But the facts cannot be denied. Schools are in definite need of change.

This Principal Leadership Academy provides change to an old, outdated system of providing professional development to the novice principal. This project is a unique method of implementing Professional Development for the novice principal beginning in their initial month of service and following them through the first year of their service to their school district. The goal is to combine university trained methods, research, and practical experience to promote principal longevity and educational excellence.