Area Administrators to Participate in Minnesota Principals' Academy
Thirty-five administrators commit to a two-year, education-focused leadership development program
Staples, Minn. (2 February 2017) – A cohort comprised of 35 principals and administrators from nine regional school districts will participate in the Minnesota Principals' Academy, an intense two-year program that focuses on developing education-focused leadership.
The cohort was selected as a result of an application submitted by the National Joint Powers Alliance® Education Solutions team and Brainerd Public Schools administrative team. School leaders from Bertha-Hewitt, Brainerd, Eagle Valley, Henning, Little Falls Community Schools, Pequot Lakes, Crosslake, Park Rapids, and Pierz school districts will collaborate for the academy's sessions which begin this summer.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our area school leaders as it aligns with the professional development already occurring in the region,” NJPA Manager of Education Solutions Kassidy Rice said. “School leadership plays a vital role in improving schools and raising student achievement. NJPA is proud to support this academy and excited about the potential it has to impact schools.”
The Principals’ Academy is run by the University of Minnesota and uses an action-oriented curriculum from the National Institute of School Leadership which emphasizes student learning, effective teaching, professional development and team building, curriculum, and organizational change. The sessions will be facilitated by U of M principal in residence, Dr. Katie Pekel, and practicing or recently retired school and district leaders in the state. Participants will also receive guest lectures from professors with the U of M's College of Education and Human Development.
To date, over 400 principals and school leaders have completed the academy. Currently, cohorts are taking place in Thief River Falls and the Twin Cities. Three new cohorts will begin this summer in central Minnesota, Fergus Falls, and another in the Twin Cities.
The regional cohort will be involved in 28 days of high-quality professional development, culminating in an action-research project.
“This is a tremendous commitment from busy administrators and we commend these administrators for recognizing and investing in this important work,” Rice said.
Participant registration fees are partially supported through a legislatively allocated grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. NJPA will fund a little more than half the cost of the remaining fees for participants of the regional cohort, making this an affordable opportunity for area school leaders.
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