Throughout the year, Fellows have the opportunity, via the curriculum, targeted experiences, and coaching, to deepen their learning and to practice key skills. Our diverse curriculum is aligned to our core competencies and focuses on practical application of newly acquired skills. Our belief is that each course should provide participants opportunities to practice aspects of leadership and to receive critical feedback that will improve leader practice. All course delivery therefore uses a blended learning model. Participants first receive information and instruction and then are required to demonstrate application with critical peer feedback.
Fellows’ school-based work is grounded in reflection and feedback. We firmly believe that a leader’s ability to grow is based on self-awareness, one of our six competencies. As importantly as a Fellow’s own reflections are the various opportunities to receive and share peer feedback about practice. Throughout the year, each Fellow participates in a Critical Friends Group (CFG)—that group is charged with formally assessing each peer as part of the School Diagnosis and 360° Feedback Survey. Members of the CFGs also participate in informal school visits as members of the Leadership Team Meeting, providing feedback about each participant’s Leadership Growth Project.
Over the course of one year, Fellows will participate in:
-A 360° feedback survey
-A school review and diagnosis
-A two-day overnight retreat
-A two‐week summer institute
-Monthly data-driven professional workshops
-Local and out-of-state school visits
-Individualized coaching throughout the year
In addition to the above, Fellows enrolled in the Aspiring Principal Program complete a year-long residency along side an effective Mentor Principal. The school-based residency provides the aspiring principals authentic opportunities to practice key skills with feedback. The school-based residency includes experiences such as leading professional development, leading and facilitating leadership team meetings, observing and providing teachers feedback, engaging key stakeholders and the community, and managing the daily operations of a school.
