Academy for Leadership in Education
SALISBURY, MD -- Currently there is a critical shortage of potential leaders in education. In the near future many school administrators are retiring and there are few qualified candidates to take their place.
In response to this looming dilemma, the school superintendents of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties in concert with Salisbury University's Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies and the SU Center for Professional Development will launch the Academy for Leadership in Education in August.
The Greater Salisbury Committee was instrumental in bringing together area superintendents and SU officials to develop a plan to provide additional opportunities for training and renewal in leadership skills for education administrators.
The Academy will attract and prepare experienced and aspiring educational leaders, who are recommended by their respective school superintendent, in a two-year series of in-depth training sessions beginning with leadership and change, including instructional leadership. Many of the academy participants will have already completed an advanced degree in educational leadership but need the opportunity to experience specialized training.
Some 50 current and potential administrators-principals, assistant principals, curriculum leaders and teachers from Lower Shore high schools, middle schools and elementary schools-are expected to sign on for the Academy's charter 2002-03 non-credit course, a series of six day-long sessions, beginning on August 14 and continuing through the next school year. The featured keynote speaker to open the Academy will be Dr. Paul Houston, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators.
Staffed by nationally recognized authorities and consultants in the field of educational leadership, the first year will culminate with a June 1, 2003 summary conference featuring Dr. Richard DuFour, author of Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement.
The second year will address "Advanced Issues in Leadership" and other topics relevant to academic leadership and school administration.
School superintendents have lamented the shortage of well-trained, experienced administrators. The nearest leadership skill development program is at Towson University and requires a time commitment of a week, a logistical obstacle to teachers and administrators living on the Shore.
"The planning of the Academy of Leadership in Education has been a partnership effort among public school leaders, Salisbury University and the business community," said Dr. Geraldine Rossi, interim dean of the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies. "Reform and improvement in our schools will be more effective when we are able to build the capacity for leadership throughout all levels of our local school systems."
The development of the Academy came after a review of similar programs at Harvard, Vanderbilt and Yale.
Cost of the Academy will be $750 per person. The three Lower Shore school districts will partially fund and seek funding for some 35 participants. Educators from throughout the Eastern Shore are invited to apply.
For more information please call the SU Center for Professional Development at 410-543-6394 or email keredden@salisbury.edu.