Educational Leadership

Dear Prospective Candidates,

You are considering a life changing adventure; school leadership is an amazing journey. Schools are the method that our society has to level the playing field. In well run schools all students can find the strands that, if woven well, will build a garment that prepares them for a lifetime of success, excellence and equity. Schools invite children into the life of the mind. One part of the social justice mission of this School of Education is to prepare leaders who can guide a team to establish excellence and equity in their school.

In our programs, candidates learn how to run the enterprise of education. This is a challenging undertaking but also a rewarding career choice. Our programs focus on the development of highly effective leadership teams, and the use of case studies; an approach that places our degree candidates in the Principal's or District Level Administrator's seat and simulates the responsibilities of deciding what to do when time, ethics and limited resources are factors. The programs' goal is that when our candidates finish their 15 month program, they will actually be able to do this important work, with the skills and dispositions to leave a lasting legacy.

The programs' faculty members have distinguished themselves as educational leaders and continue this leadership on the local, state and national levels. They have attended to the theory and research about the profession and they know personally what it is like to be in the vortex of public pressure and crushing time constraints. Candidates also experience the benefits of having each course taught by two faculty members modeling the success that can be achieved through collaboration. The nuanced richness that this brings to the classroom, when combined with the candidate's own continuous internships, makes a powerful classroom environment.

To support candidates as they go through the programs, upon entering each candidate is issued a high-end laptop computer to keep after completion of the program. The candidates who graduate from these nationally recognized programs are competent to lead utilizing technology's potential to support their efforts.

The programs are highly selective in the review of candidates, requiring a writing sample, and two letters of recommendation from certified school administrators, along with additional evidence of achievement. If you are accepted, prepare for a rigorous experience that will prepare you for 21st Century Leadership.

Warmly,

Diane Reed, Ed.D.
Co-Director, Educational Leadership Programs

William B. Stroud, Ed.D.
Co-Director, Educational Leadership Programs