WCS Principals Participate In Leadership Institute
Two local principals will be participating in the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute. David Robertson, principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Winona Lake, and Lee Snider, principal of Harrison Elementary School in Warsaw, will both be attending the 2-year experience designed to address the professional needs of Indiana public school principals with an emphasis on student success.
The institute will increase a principal’s ability to address the current needs of their schools, such as teacher evaluation models, student performance, community involvement and shaping a strong school culture.
The principals also will develop and implement personal and school improvement plans, facilitate action research projects at each school, refine school improvement plans and build a network of other principals to gain support during and beyond the institute experience.
“It is an honor and a privilege for Indiana State University to lead this institute,” said Steve Gruenert, chair of educational leadership in the Bayh College of Education, “and we are committed to building the best professional development program for principals in the nation. At the same time, we are focused on helping these educators make their schools even better places for their students to learn and grow, which will have a lasting impact on our children and our state.”
During the 2-day session at Indiana State, the principals are connecting with their mentors, who will play a key role in guiding small group activities and discussions. Eleven Hoosier educators are serving as mentors to the members of the inaugural class and were selected through a collaborative between Indiana State University and the Indiana Association of School Principals.
The principals also are spending time with nationally recognized speakers, including Baruti Kafele, an urban public school educator and administrator who led the transformation of four different New Jersey schools and is a published author. Jeffrey Zoul, author of “Improving Your School One Week at a Time: Building the Foundation for Professional Teaching and Learning,” also will speak to the principals.
Principals interested in applying for the second class, which will launch in summer 2014, should apply online at www.indianapli.org. A one-time financial contribution of $1,000 from the school corporation is required for participation, as it cements both the commitment of the principal and superintendent to the program. Nominating a principal implies the superintendent and school board think the principal has the potential to improve their school, are supportive of positive change in the school and will allow data collection to occur.