In Tennessee we must do more to support, develop, train, and recruit highly
effective school leaders. These schools and districts have acknowledged the
critical role that school leaders play in improving student achievement and
have dedicated time and energy to thinking about how school leaders can
work to maximize student success.
Developing a Pipeline and Training Ground for Prospective School Leaders.
In
Kingsport City Schools, a PK-12 school district with 13 schools serving over
7,000 students in Upper East Tennessee, strong school, district, and teacher
leadership is a core component of the district’s success. Kingsport’s Associate
Principals program provides teachers and other system-wide personnel the
opportunity to spend three-years working alongside a principal to learn more
about the role of a school leader.
PRIORITIES
IN ACTION:
SCHOOL
LEADERSHIP
IN SUPPORT OF
STUDENT
LEARNING
Each elementary and middle school in Kingsport has an associate principal.
The position provides an opportunity for aspiring leaders to develop leadership skills through hands-on experience. Associate principals witness firsthand the various components of the principalship such as managing curriculum and instruction, leading professional learning, serving as the testing
coordinator, and working with parents and the community. Aspiring leaders
also receive mentoring from expert principals in the district. From the district’s perspective, having associate principals allows Kingsport to “field test”
prospective school leaders and assists the district in developing a leadership
pipeline. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity for individuals interested in school leadership to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities
they need to support Kingsport’s vision and mission for its schools. Several of
the graduates of the associate principals program are current school leaders
in Kingsport’s 13 schools.
Collaboration and Professional Learning Communities for Principals, Assistant
Principals, and Aspiring Leaders. In Williamson County Schools, a school dis-
trict with 41 schools serving over 35,000 students in Middle Tennessee, providing opportunities for principals to share strategies and collaborate is a key
component of the district’s success. One strategy Williamson County implements to support school leaders is Principal Professional Learning Communities. Additionally, principals host their fellow administrators in school visits to
identify best practices. Williamson County holds monthly, system-wide principal professional learning community meetings for elementary, middle, and
high school principals. This approach enables school leaders to have meaningful opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and discuss strategies for
implementing new programs, sharing innovations, and supporting each other
in a role that is sometimes isolating. These Principal Professional Learning
Communities provide school leaders with opportunities to work together and
collaborate towards the goal of improving student learning.
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